Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Type Area of property Area of a real estate property BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract] Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $306 and $248, respectively Accounts payable and accrued expenses Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Accounts receivable, allowance Amortization related to non-real estate investments Amortization of Intangible Assets TOTAL ASSETS Assets Segment Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Other assets Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, aggregate liquidation preference Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Date Acquisition Business Acquisition, Date of Acquisition Agreement Business Acquisition [Axis] Results of operations from acquired properties [Abstract] Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract] Building Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Buildings Land Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Land Units Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable Intangible assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] ACQUISITIONS, DEVELOPMENTS PLACED IN SERVICE AND DISPOSITIONS [Abstract] Value of limited partnership units Debt assumed in acquisition Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Financial Liabilities ACQUISITIONS, DEVELOPMENTS PLACED IN SERVICE AND DISPOSITIONS Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Net (loss) income Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Earnings or Loss of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual Total revenue Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual Transaction costs expensed Carrying Amount [Member] Compensating Balances, Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis] NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and cash equivalents CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure Certificates of deposit Class of Stock [Domain] Variable Interest Entity, Classification [Domain] Commercial properties [Member] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 6) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, no par value (in dollars per share) COMMON SHARES [Member] Common Shares of Beneficial Interest (Unlimited authorization, no par value, 114,762,774 shares issued and outstanding at July 31, 2014, and 109,019,341 shares issued and outstanding at April 30, 2014) Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, shares issued (in shares) DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share) Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, shares outstanding (in shares) Compensating Balances [Line Items] Compensating balances Consolidation Items [Domain] VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block] Consolidation Items [Axis] Real estate assets contributed by noncontrolling interest - consolidated real estate entities Units converted to common shares Units converted to common shares (in shares) Maintenance Real estate expenses Book value and sales cost EXPENSES TOTAL EXPENSES Costs and Expenses MORTGAGES PAYABLE AND LINE OF CREDIT [Abstract] MORTGAGES PAYABLE AND LINE OF CREDIT Mortgages maturity date range, end Forfeiture of note payable in conjunction with sale of property Mortgages payable Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure Deferred charges and leasing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $22,237 and $21,068, respectively Deferred charges and leasing costs, accumulated amortization Receivable arising from straight-lining of rents, net of allowance of $717 and $796, respectively Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Domain] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Axis] Depreciation/amortization related to real estate investments Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Development in progress DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Abstract] Income (loss) from discontinued operations before gain (loss) on sale Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation During Phase-out Period, Net of Tax Loss (gain) on sale of real estate, land, other investments and discontinued operations Gain on sale of discontinued operations Operating income (loss) Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Operating Income (Loss) Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Name [Domain] DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Payment date Distributions - common shares and units Dividends, Common Stock Quarterly amount per share or unit (in dollars per share) Common and Preferred Share Distributions Dividends Declared [Table Text Block] Record date Distributions - preferred shares Dividends to preferred shareholders Dividends, Preferred Stock Real estate deposits NET (LOSS) INCOME PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC AND DILUTED (in dollars per share) NET (LOSS) INCOME PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC & DILUTED Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted EARNINGS PER SHARE EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract] EQUITY [Abstract] Interest in joint venture (in hundredths) Interest held (in hundredths) Equity Component [Domain] Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] Fair Value [Member] New intangible assets Measurement Frequency [Axis] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Nonrecurring [Member] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS [Abstract] Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Measurement Basis [Axis] Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring [Table Text Block] FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Level 2 [Member] Level 1 [Member] Level 3 [Member] FINANCIAL LIABILITIES [Abstract] FINANCIAL ASSETS [Abstract] 2018 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross, Total Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Estimated annual amortization [Abstract] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Intangible assets, accumulated amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] 2015 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months 2019 2016 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two 2017 Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three Gain/(Loss) Gain from involuntary conversion Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets and Asset Impairment Charges Loss on sale of real estate and other investments Gain on involuntary conversion Gain on involuntary conversion Gain on involuntary conversion Administrative expenses Goodwill impairment Goodwill IDENTIFIED INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AND GOODWILL Goodwill derecognized Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit Goodwill added Goodwill, Acquired During Period Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used, Asset Name [Domain] Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items] Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used by Type [Axis] IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS Impairment of real estate investments Impairment of retail property Impairment of Real Estate Write-down of assets Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use (Loss) earnings per common share from continuing operations - Investors Real Estate Trust - basic and diluted (in dollars per share) (Loss) earnings per common share from continuing operations - Investors Real Estate Trust - basic and diluted (Loss) income from continuing operations - Investors Real Estate Trust Net operating income Income (Loss) from Operations before Extraordinary Items CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS [Abstract] Disposal Group Name [Axis] Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] Income from discontinued operations Income from discontinued operations INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Earnings per common share from discontinued operations - Investors Real Estate Trust - basic and diluted (in dollars per share) Earnings per common share from discontinued operations - Investors Real Estate Trust - basic and diluted (in dollars per share) Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Table] (Loss) income from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Income from discontinued operations - Investors Real Estate Trust Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Increase in deferred charges and leasing costs Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Leasing Fees Decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Changes in other assets and liabilities: Decrease (increase) in tax, insurance and other escrow Increase (Decrease) in Operating Assets Decrease in prepaid and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Insurance proceeds receivable Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $25,497 and $24,071, respectively Interest expense Interest Expense Interest and other income Cash paid for interest, amounts capitalized Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized of $1,030 and $580, respectively Interest income Total real estate investments Investments Other investments Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Real estate investments Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Amount Fixed rate mortgages Variable rate mortgages Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Amount Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Weighted average rate of interest on mortgage debt (in hundredths) Unimproved land Land Parcel 1 [Member] Acquired below-market leases and acquired above-market leases [Member] Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member] TOTAL LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY Liabilities and Equity LIABILITIES Liabilities [Abstract] TOTAL LIABILITIES Liabilities LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Borrowed amount Lending commitments Revolving credit facility, amended Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity Line of credit, current interest rate (in hundredths) Line of credit Lines of Credit, Fair Value Disclosure Revolving line of credit Other debt Morgages payable Receivable arising from straight-lining of rents, allowance Mortgages payable Total payments 2015 (remainder) 2017 2016 Aggregate amount of required future principal payments on mortgages payable [Abstract] 2018 Thereafter 2019 Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five Noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities Noncontrolling interests consolidated real estate entities Net distributions Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders Noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership (17,975,440 units at July 31, 2014 and 21,093,445 units at April 30, 2014) Interest rates on mortgages payable range, maximum (in hundredths) Mortgages included in real estate dispositions Interest rates on mortgages payable range, minimum (in hundredths) Real Estate, Type of Property [Axis] Real Estate [Domain] Real Estate [Domain] Net (loss) income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES NET (LOSS) INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS Numerator for basic earnings per share - net income available to common shareholders Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest NUMERATOR [Abstract] Numerator for diluted earnings per share Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted Net rentable area (in square feet) CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Net cash used by investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net cash (used) provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Debt Assumed Number of real estate properties Number of reportable segments Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership Noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership Noncontrolling Interest in Net Income (Loss) Operating Partnerships, Nonredeemable Contributions from nonredeemable noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities Other Contributions Noncontrolling Interests [Member] Real estate rentals Operating income Operating Income (Loss) Operating Segments [Member] ORGANIZATION [Abstract] ORGANIZATION Tax, insurance, and other escrow Other identified intangible assets [Member] Bad debt expense Other Noncash Income (Expense) Increase in accounts receivable from sale of common shares under distribution reinvestment and share purchase program Other expenses Other property expenses Other property expenses Other investments Other income Other income Other Financing liability balance TRS senior housing revenue TRS senior housing revenue Other Investments [Member] Property management expenses Other [Member] Equity [Member] Redemption of units for common shares Partners' Capital Account, Redemptions Redemption of units for common shares, shares (in shares) Payments for development and re-development of real estate assets Payments for Construction in Process Decrease in other investments Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Payments for improvements of real estate assets Payments for Capital Improvements Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest Distributions paid to preferred shareholders Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Preferred Stock and Preference Stock Payments for acquisitions of real estate assets Payments to Acquire Real Estate Cash paid for acquisition Cash Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross Distributions paid to common shareholders, net of reinvestment of $3,801 and $3,549, respectively Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests - Unitholders of the Operating Partnership, net reinvestment of $185 and $183, respectively Payments of Distributions to Affiliates Payments for acquisition of noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities Payments to Acquire Additional Interest in Subsidiaries Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, no par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest (Cumulative redeemable preferred shares) Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred Series A [Member] Preferred Series B [Member] Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, shares issued (in shares) Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, shares outstanding (in shares) PREFERRED SHARES [Member] Prepaid and other assets RECLASSIFICATIONS Principal proceeds on mortgage loans receivable Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests - Unitholders of the Operating Partnership, reinvestment Proceeds from financing liability Insurance proceeds received Shares issued under the Incentive Award Plan Proceeds from noncontrolling partner - consolidated real estate entities Proceeds from revolving lines of credit and other debt Insurance proceeds received for redevelopment Proceeds from underwritten Public Offering of Preferred Shares - Series B, net of offering costs Proceeds from sale of common shares under distribution reinvestment and share purchase program Proceeds from mortgages payable Series B preferred shares issued Proceeds from Issuance Initial Public Offering Proceeds from sale of common shares, net of issue costs Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations Sales Price of Property Disposed Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets NET (LOSS) INCOME Net income Total acquisition cost Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,140 and $2,041, respectively Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Development projects placed in service Other property expenses Provision for Doubtful Accounts Overstatement of equity Insurance Real Estate Properties [Domain] Real Estate Property Ownership [Axis] Property owned Real Estate Properties [Line Items] Total property owned Real Estate Investment Property, Net Construction interest capitalized Real estate investment amount of properties (net of accumulated depreciation) Less accumulated depreciation Real Estate Investment Property, Accumulated Depreciation Joint ventures partner's interest acquired Real estate taxes Real estate held for sale Real Estate Held-for-sale Real Estate Held-for-sale Real estate revenue TOTAL REVENUE Real Estate Revenue, Net Segment Assets and Accumulated Depreciation Revenues and net operating income for reportable segments Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Table Text Block] Principal payments on revolving lines of credit and other debt Repayments of Other Short-term Debt Principal payments on mortgages payable Repayments of Long-term Debt Multi-family residential properties [Member] Restatement Adjustment [Member] Compensating Balances, Cash and Cash Equivalents [Domain] Commercial Retail [Member] Commercial Retail Property [Member] Accumulated distributions in excess of net income Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) ACCUMULATED DISTRIBUTIONS IN EXCESS OF NET INCOME [Member] Sales price REVENUE Increase in receivable arising from straight-lining of rents Straight Line Rent Estimated annual amortization of all other identified intangible assets Average price of shares issued (in dollars per share) Sale of Stock, Price Per Share PROCEEDS FROM FINANCING LIABILITY Sale Leaseback Transactions, Policy [Policy Text Block] Proceeds from sale of property Sale Leaseback Transaction, Gross Proceeds, Financing Activities Sale lease-back recorded in other liabilities Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Schedule of Real Estate Properties [Table] Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Acquisitions Aggregate amount of required future principal payments on mortgages payable Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Reconciliation of numerator and denominator used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share Effect on net income and the gains or losses from the sale of properties classified as discontinued operations Schedule of Compensating Balances [Table] Schedule of Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustment Restatement [Table] Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Restatement of Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity Schedule of Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments [Table Text Block] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Table] Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table] SEGMENT REPORTING [Abstract] Segment revenues and net operating income [Abstract] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment [Domain] Segments [Domain] SEGMENT REPORTING Discontinued Operations [Member] Share-based compensation expense Balance (in shares) Balance, shares (in shares) Shares, Issued Significant Acquisitions and Disposals by Transaction [Axis] Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] Significant Acquisitions and Disposals, Transaction [Domain] BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Scenario [Axis] Scenario [Axis] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY [Abstract] CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS [Abstract] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [Abstract] Business Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Class of Stock [Axis] Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan Stock Issued During Period, Value, Dividend Reinvestment Plan Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan (in shares) Share-based compensation Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures Share-based compensation (in shares) Shares issued (in shares) Shares issued EQUITY Other Stockholders' Equity, Other Investors Real Estate Trust shareholders' equity Total Investors Real Estate Trust shareholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Balance Balance Total equity Total equity Balance EQUITY Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] SUBSEQUENT EVENTS SUBSEQUENT EVENTS [Abstract] Subsequent Event [Table] Subsequent Event [Line Items] Subsequent Event [Member] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS - CONSOLIDATED REAL ESTATE ENTITIES Redeemable noncontrolling interests consolidated real estate entities Balance at close of period Balance at April 30, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS [Abstract] Tenant reimbursement Tenant Improvements Construction debt reclassified to mortgages payable Involuntary conversion of assets due to flood and fire damage Real estate assets acquired through assumption of indebtedness and accrued costs Advisory and trustee services USE OF ESTIMATES Variable Interest Entities [Axis] Real Estate Development Company [Member] Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member] Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] Percentage of ownership in VIE (in hundredths) Variable Interest Entity, Qualitative or Quantitative Information, Ownership Percentage Effect of convertible operating partnership units (in shares) Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment DENOMINATOR [Abstract] Denominator for basic earnings per share weighted average shares (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Denominator for diluted earnings per share (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Rollforward of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Abstract] Acquisition of joint venture partner's interest. Acquisition of joint venture partner's interest Mark to market adjustments for redeemable noncontrolling interests. Mark to market adjustments Fair value adjustments Disclosure pertaining to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Text Block] REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS Consolidated Statement of Equity [Abstract] Consolidated Balance Sheet [Abstract] Financing received from the entity for a joint venture. Debt from IRET [Member] Financing received from a third party for a joint venture. Third Party Debt [Member] This element represents that portion of equity (net assets) in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the parent. A noncontrolling interest is sometimes called a minority interest. IRET - Minot Apartments, LLC [Member] Lost net operating income Insurance proceeds received for reimbursement for business interruption (loss of rents). Insurance proceeds received for reimbursement for business interruption (loss of rents) Number of buildings destroyed. Number of buildings destroyed Number of 32 unit buildings. Number of 32 unit buildings Financial information relating to the involuntary conversion at the Chateau Apartments relating to the fire in 2013. Chateau Apartment Conversion, Second Fire [Member] Chateau Apartment, Fire 2013 [Member] The estimated total costs of the project related to the joint venture considered as variable interest entity. Estimated total costs of joint venture project Financial information relating to building three. Building Three [Member] The percentage of project financed in a joint venture considered as variable interest entity. Percentage of project financed Percentage of project financed (in hundredths) Number of units in building. Number of units in building VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY [Abstract] VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY [Abstract] Financial information relating to the involuntary conversion at the Chateau Apartments relating to the flood in 2012. Chateau Apartment Conversion, Flood [Member] Chateau Apartment Flood, 2012 [Member] The financial information relating to the involuntary conversion of assets, by conversion event. Involuntarily Converted, Long-Lived Assets Held and Used, Conversion Event [Domain] This element represents the categories used to group involuntarily converted long-lived assets held and used by the type of asset. Involuntarily Long-Lived Assets Held and Used by Type [Axis] Involuntarily Converted Long-Lived Assets Held and Used by Type [Axis] The insurance proceeds received for total business interruption proceeds. Insurance proceeds received for total business interruption proceeds Insurance proceeds received for redevelopment For a long-lived asset to be held and used by an entity, the table may include amount of the impairment loss and the involuntary conversion. Schedule of Involuntary Conversion Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Table] The amount of deed contract related to the sale of non-core assisted living property that was subsequently leased back to the seller with an option to repurchase the property at a specified price. Sale Leaseback Transaction Amount Of Deed Contract Contract for deed Proceeds From Financing Liability [Abstract] PROCEEDS FROM FINANCING LIABILITY [Abstract] INVOLUNTARY CONVERSION OF ASSETS [Abstract] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Financial covenant requiring the entity to maintain a specific debt service coverage on individual assets. Debt service coverage on individual assets Financial covenant requiring the entity to maintain a specific debt service coverage on aggregate assets. Debt service coverage on aggregate assets The number of properties used as security under the line of credit. Number of properties securing line of credit Non interest bearing account to be maintained. Non interest bearing account Non-interest bearing account Line of credit, minimum outstanding principal balance. Line of credit, minimum outstanding principal balance Minimum depository accounts to be maintained. Minimum depository accounts Financial information relating to the involuntary conversion at the Chateau Apartments relating to the fire in 2012. Chateau Apartment Conversion, Fire [Member] Chateau Apartment Fire, 2012 [Member] Wirth Corporate Center - Golden Valley, MN for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Wirth Corporate Center Golden Valley MN [Member] A business segment for reporting the information separately. Commercial Medical [Member] Residential and Retail Residential and Retail [Member] Outstanding common shares and limited partnership units. Common Shares and Limited Partnership Units [Member] Condominium units acquired or disposed. Condominium Units [Member] Number of industrial properties held for sale. Number of industrial held for sale Number of properties held for sale Costs incurred to provide to tenants basic services such as electricity, gas, water, telephone, cable, and internet service. Utilities The charge against earnings in the period to reduce the carrying amount of real property relating to continuing operations to fair value. Impairment of Real Estate, Continuing Operations Impairment of real estate investments The equity impact of aggregate cash, stock, and paid-in-kind dividends declared for preferred shareholders during the period. Dividends, Preferred Stock2 Dividends to preferred shareholders This element represents the income (loss) before the gain (loss) on the sale of real estate and other investments and the income (loss) from discontinued operations. Income (loss) before gain (loss) on sale of real estate and other investments and income (loss) from discontinued operations Income before loss on sale of real estate and other investments and income from discontinued operations 401(k) plan for issuing shares. 401(k) plan [Member] Number of shares registered during the period under the Distribution Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan. Shares registered under Distribution Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan Shares registered under Distribution Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan (in shares) Financial information relating to the 2009 stock based compensation plan, long term incentive plan. 2008 Incentive Award Plan [Member] 2008 Incentive Award Plan [Member] Aggregate gross sales price of common shares of beneficial interest allowed to be sold related to at-the-market equity program. Aggregate gross sales price of common shares of beneficial interest allowed to be sold Refers to distribution reinvestment of earnings and Share purchase plan for the employee. Distribution Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan [Member] Number of partnership units held by noncontrolling interests as of the balance sheet date. Noncontrolling Interests Operating Partnership Units Noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership (in shares) Tabular disclosure of an enterprise's obligations to construction, development and renovation projects in the near future under existing contracts or agreements. Development, Construction Commitments and Contracts Disclosure [Table Text Block] Development. Expansion and Renovation Projects Footnote (7) Footnote (7) [Member] 'Deer Ridge - Jamestown, ND Deer Ridge - Jamestown, ND [Member] Edina 6565 France SMC III - Edina, MN Edina 6565 France SMC III - Edina, MN [Member] Roseville 3075 Long Lake Rd - Roseville, MN Roseville 3075 Long Lake Rd - Roseville, MN [Member] St. Cloud, MN property acquired. St. Cloud, MN [Member] Minot Wells Fargo Bank - Minot, ND Minot Wells Fargo Bank - Minot, ND [Member] Fargo, ND Fargo, ND [Member] Maple Grove, MN Maple Grove, MN [Member] Grand Forks, ND Grand Forks, ND [Member] Vacant land in Monticello, MN Vacant land in Monticello, MN [Member] Property Two Property Two [Member] Property One Property One [Member] Sale amount of pending property disposition. Sale amount of pending disposition Sales price of pending disposition Grand Forks - Grand Forks, ND for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Grand Forks Grand Forks, ND [Member] Rapid City, South Dakota property acquired. Rapid City, South Dakota [Member] The name or location of property under a material pending acquisition. Burnsville, Minnesota [Member] Cardinal Point, Grand Forks, North Dakota [Member] Arcata Apartments, Golden Valley, Minnesota [Member] Commons at Southgate, Minot, North Dakota [Member] Southgate, Minot, North Dakota [Member] Renaissance Heights I Apartments, Williston, North Dakota [Member] Monticello, Minnesota property acquired. Monticello, Minnesota [Member] Dakota Commons, Williston, North Dakota [Member] Pending Dispositions. Clive 2075 NW 94th Street, Clive, Iowa [Member] Eagan 2785 & 2795 Highway 55, Eagan, Minnesota [Member] Burnsville II Strip Center, Burnsville, Minnesota [Member] Sioux Falls, South Dakota property acquired or disposed. Sioux Falls, South Dakota [Member] Winsted, Minnesota property. Winsted, Minnesota [Member] Bismarck, North Dakota Bismarck, North Dakota [Member] Chateau II, Minot, North Dakota [Member] vacant land in Rapid City, South Dakota [Member] Vacant Land in Rapid City, South Dakota [Member] Information by properties or major development project, phase one. Project Phase One [Member] Total property cost subject to purchase options. Total property cost subject to purchase options The year in which a construction project is estimated to be completed. Real Estate Construction, Estimated Year for Completion Estimated year for completion Number of Properties subject to purchase options. Number of Properties subject to purchase options. Number of properties subject to purchase options Project costs incurred to date. Project costs incurred to date Financial information relating to building two. Building Two [Member] Financial information relating to building one. Building One [Member] Information by properties or major development project, phase two. Project Phase Two [Member] Project Phases Two and Three [Member] Information by properties, such as buildings, or major development project phase. Additional Project Information [Domain] Information by properties, such as buildings, or major development project phase. Additional Project Information [Axis] The redemption value of UPREIT Units during the period. Redemption Value of UPREIT Units Aggregate redemption value of UPREIT Units of operating partnership owned by limited partners Number of buildings. Number of buildings Estimated cost of project. Anticipated Total Cost Number of buildings Number of land Parcels of land Total gross rental revenue from properties subject to purchase options. Total gross rental revenue from properties subject to purchase options The quarter in which a construction project is estimated to be completed. Real Estate Construction, Estimated Quarter for Completion Estimated quarter for completion The number of consecutive trading days for valuation. Number of consecutive trading days for valuation Purchase Price of Pending Acquisition Purchase Price of Pending Acquisition Number of apartment units. Number of apartment units The number of properties subject to restrictions on taxable dispositions. Number of properties subject to restrictions on taxable dispositions The number of apartment units placed in service during the period. Number of apartment units placed in service The commitment period related to tenant improvements. Commitment period for tenant improvements Dakota Commons - Williston, ND for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Dakota Commons - Williston, ND [Member] 71 France Phase I - Edina, MN 71 France Phase I - Edina, MN [Member] PrairieCare Medical - Brooklyn Park, MN PrairieCare Medical - Brooklyn Park, MN [Member] Creekside Crossing - Bismarck, ND Creekside Crossing - Bismarck, ND [Member] Silver Springs - Rapid City, SD Silver Springs - Rapid City, SD [Member] Homestead Garden - Rapid City, SD Homestead Garden - Rapid City, SD [Member] The amount of expenditures for a real estate projects that has been placed in service as of period end. Development costs of projects placed in service Date a unit is placed in service in CCYY_MM_DD format. Date placed in service Rapid City Unimproved- Rapid City, SD Rapid City Unimproved- Rapid City, SD [Member] Dispositions Dispositions [Member] Acquisitions Acquisitions [Member] Amount of increase in noncontrolling interest from subsidiary issuance of equity interests to noncontrolling interest holders. JV Partner Contributions Weston Retail - Weston, WI for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Weston Retail Weston WI [Member] Eagan 2785 & 2795 - Eagan, MN Eagan 2785 & 2795 - Eagan, MN [Member] Dewey Hill - Edina, MN Dewey Hill - Edina, MN [Member] Real estate held. Land Parcel 2 [Member] Date of disposal, in CCYY-MM-DD format. Disposals, Date of Transaction for Acquisition or Disposal Date disposed Number of apartment units disposed. iret_ Number Of Apartment Units Dispositions Number Of Apartment Units Dispositions (in units) East Park - Sioux Falls, SD for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. East Park Sioux Falls SD [Member] Metal Improvement - New Brighton, MN property acquired or disposed. Metal Improvement - New Brighton, MN [Member] River Ridge - Bismarck, ND for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. River Ridge - Bismarck, ND [Member] Jamestown Medical Office Building - Jamestown, ND for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Jamestown Medical Office Building Jamestown ND [Member] Property acquired by development projects placed in service. Development Projects Placed in Service [Member] Identification of the status of property acquired. Business Acquisition, By Status of Property Acquired [Domain] Area of a real estate property disposed. Area of Real Estate Property, dispositions Area of a real estate property (in square feet) Pending Dispositions. Nicollet VII, Burnsville, Minnesota [Member] The number of properties sold during the period. Number of properties sold Dispositions [Abstract] Chateau II - Minot, ND for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Chateau II - Minot, ND [Member] Cedar Lake Business Center, St. Louis Park, Minnesota [Member] API Building, Duluth, Minnesota [Member] Sycamore Village - Sioux Falls, SD [Member] Legends at Heritage Place - Sartell, MN for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Legends at Heritage Place - Sartell, MN [Member] Lighthouse - Duluth, MN for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Lighthouse Duluth MN [Member] RED 20 - Minneapolis, MN for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. RED 20 - Minneapolis, MN [Member] Number of apartment units acquired. Number of apartment units, acquisitions Number of units Georgetown Square Condominiums 3 and 4 property acquired or disposed. Georgetown Square Condominiums 3 and 4 [Member] Badger Hills - Rochester, MN for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Badger Hills Rochester, MN [Member] A business segment for reporting the information separately. Other Disposition [Member] A business segment for reporting the information separately. Unimproved Land [Member] Minot Unimproved (Southgate Lot 4) - Minot, ND property acquired or disposed Minot Unimproved (Southgate Lot 4) - Minot, ND [Member] Pending Dispositions. Dixon Avenue Industrial Park, Des Moines, Iowa [Member] Anoka Strip Center - Anoka, MN for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Anoka Strip Center Anoka MN [Member] Grand Forks Unimproved - Grand Forks, ND property acquired or disposed. Grand Forks Unimproved Grand Forks, ND [Member] Eagan - Eagan, MN property acquired or disposed. Eagan - Eagan, MN [Member] Terrace on the Green - Fargo, ND property acquired or disposed. Terrace on the Green Fargo, ND [Member] Terrace on the Green - Fargo, ND [Member] Alps Park - Rapid City, SD for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Alps Park - Rapid City, SD [Member] Kentwood Thomasville - Kentwood, MI property acquired or disposed. Kentwood Thomasville Kentwood, MI [Member] Cypress Court - St. Cloud, MN for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Cypress Court - St. Cloud, MN [Member] Heritage Place - Sartell, MN property acquired or disposed. Heritage Place - Sartell, MN [Member] Villa West - Topeka, KS for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Villa West - Topeka, KS [Member] Villa West Topeka, KS [Member] Commons at Southgate - Minot, ND for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Commons at Southgate - Minot, ND [Member] Landing at Southgate - Minot, ND for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Landing at Southgate - Minot, ND [Member] The Landing at Southgate, Minot, ND [Member] University Commons - Williston, ND property acquired or disposed. University Commons Williston, ND [Member] University Commons - Williston, ND [Member] Pending Dispositions. Pillsbury Business Center, Bloomington, Minnesota [Member] Quarry Ridge II - Rochester, MN property acquired or disposed. Quarry Ridge II Rochester, MN [Member] Georgetown Square Condominiums 5 and 6 property acquired or disposed. Georgetown Square Condominiums 5 and 6 [Member] Bodycote Industrial Building - Eden Prairie, MN for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Bodycote Industrial Building Eden Prairie MN [Member] Colony - Lincoln, NE for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Colony - Lincoln, NE [Member] Eagan Community - Eagan, MN for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Eagan Community Eagan MN [Member] Pending Dispositions. Bloomington Business Plaza, Bloomington, Minnesota [Member] Pinecone Villas - Sartell, MN for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Pinecone Villas - Sartell, MN [Member] Ponds at Heritage Place - Sartell, MN for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Ponds at Heritage Place - Sartell, MN [Member] Fargo 1320 45th St N - Fargo, ND property acquired or disposed. Fargo 1320 45th St N Fargo ND [Member] Burnsville 2 Strip Center - Burnsville, MN property acquired or disposed. Burnsville 2 Strip Center - Burnsville, MN [Member] Pending Dispositions. Brooklyn Park 7401 Boone Avenue, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota [Member] Clive 2075 NW 94th Street - Clive, IA for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Clive 2075 NW 94th Street Clive IA [Member] Candlelight - Fargo, ND for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Candlelight Fargo ND [Member] Minot IPS - Minot, ND for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Minot IPS Minot ND [Member] Minot IPS - Minot, ND [Member] Southpoint - Grand Forks, ND for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Southpoint - Grand Forks, ND [Member] Roseville 2929 Long Lake Road - Roseville, MN for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Roseville 2929 Long Lake Road Roseville MN [Member] Roseville 2929 Long Lake Road - Roseville, MN [Member] Jamestown Unimproved - Jamestown, ND for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Jamestown Unimproved - Jamestown, ND [Member] Minnetonka 13600 County Road 62 - Minnetonka, MN for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Minnetonka 13600 County Road 62 Minnetonka MN [Member] Minnetonka 13600 County Road 62 - Minnetonka, MN [Member] Spring Wind Expansion - Laramie, WY property acquired or disposed. Spring Wind Expansion Laramie, WY [Member] Spring Wind Expansion - Laramie, WY [Member] Cypress Court Apartment Development - St. Cloud, MN acquired or disposed. Cypress Court Apartment Development St. Cloud, MN [Member] Williston Garden Buildings 3 and 4 - Williston, ND property acquired or disposed. Williston Garden Buildings 3 and 4 Williston, ND [Member] Spring Creek Fruitland - Fruitland, ID property acquired or disposed. Spring Creek Fruitland - Fruitland, ID [Member] Winsted Industrial Building - Winsted, MN for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Winsted Industrial Building Winsted MN [Member] Winsted Industrial Building - Winsted, MN [Member] Prairiewood Meadows - Fargo, ND for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Prairiewood Meadows Fargo ND [Member] Prairiewood Meadows - Fargo, ND [Member] Lakeside Village - Lincoln, NE for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Lakeside Village Lincoln, NE [Member] Isanti Unimproved - Isanti, MN for development, expansion and renovation projects underway or recently completed. Isanti Unimproved - Isanti, MN [Member] Acquisitions and development projects placed in service [Abstract] Information of status of property acquired. Business Acquisition, By Status of Property Acquired [Axis] Disclosure of accounting policy for revisions. REVISION [Policy Text Block] REVISION Disclosure of accounting policy for compensating balances and other investments related to lender holdbacks. COMPENSATING BALANCES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS; LENDER HOLDBACKS [Policy Text Block] COMPENSATING BALANCES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS; HOLDBACKS Disclosure of accounting policy for involuntary conversion of assets. INVOLUNTARY CONVERSION OF ASSETS [Policy Text Block] INVOLUNTARY CONVERSION OF ASSETS Tabular disclosure of the estimated annual amortization of acquired below-market leases, net of acquired above-market leases for each of the five succeeding fiscal years. Estimated annual amortization of acquired below market leases, net of acquired above market leases [Table Text Block] Estimated annual amortization of acquired below-market leases, net of acquired above-market leases Tabular disclosure of identified intangible assets and intangible liabilities as of the reporting date including gross carrying amounts, accumulated amortization and net carrying amounts. Identified intangible assets and intangible liabilities [Table Text Block] Identified intangible assets and intangible liabilities Commerce Bank Commerce Bank [Member] Private Bank Private Bank [Member] Kalispell, Montana, retail Kalispell, Montana, retail property [Member] Golden Valley, Minnesota, office property Golden Valley, Minnesota, office property [Member] The remaining terms of certificates of deposit during the period. Remaining terms of certificates of deposit The number of impaired properties for the fiscal year. Number of impaired properties Number of impaired properties The minimum period for which some limited partners have contractually agreed to hold the beneficial interest. Period to hold the beneficial interest, minimum American National Bank, Omaha, Nebraska. American National Bank, Omaha, Nebraska [Member] First International Bank, Watford City, North Dakota. First International Bank, Watford City, North Dakota [Member] United Community Bank, Minot, North Dakota. United Community Bank, Minot, North Dakota [Member] United Community Bank and Equity Bank. United Community Bank and Equity Bank [Member] United Community and Dacotah Bank [Member] Peoples State Bank of Velva, North Dakota. Peoples State Bank of Velva, North Dakota [Member] Associated Bank, Green Bay, Wisconsin. Associated Bank, Green Bay, Wisconsin [Member] Equity Bank, Minnetonka, Minnesota. Equity Bank, Minnetonka, Minnesota [Member] Dacotah Bank, Minot, North Dakota. Dacotah Bank, Minot, North Dakota [Member] The name or location of property under a material pending acquisition. Bloomington, Minnesota [Member] Real estate located in Anoka, Minnesota. Anoka, Minnesota [Member] The name or location of property under a material pending acquisition. Clive, Iowa [Member] Industrial located in Roseville, Minnesota. Roseville, Minnesota [Member] The name or location of property under a material pending acquisition. St. Louis Park, Minnesota [Member] The charge against earnings of discontinued operations or disposal group in the period to reduce the carrying amount of real property to fair value. Discontinued Operation, Impairment of Assets from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax Impairment of retail property attributable to discontinued operations The number of limited partners' units to be redeemed in exchange for a number of common shares upon exercise of the redemption option by the limited partners. Redemption basis The entity's ownership interest in common units in the operating partnership. Interest in common units in operating partnership Interest in operating partnership (in hundredths) The minimum number of units required for a limited partner to exercise the redemption, unless such limited partner holds less than this minimum, in which case the minimum number of units is equal to the number of units held by such limited partner. Number of units to redeem, minimum Number of units to redeem, minimum (in units) The maximum number of redemptions by a limited partner that may occur in a calendar year. Redemptions by limited partner, maximum This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents loan receivable as presented on the statement of financial position which may include investments in land and buildings, excluding real estate considered to be inventory of the entity. Real Estate Investment, Fair Value Disclosure Real Estate Investment This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents loan receivable as presented on the statement of financial position which may include investments in land and buildings held for sale, excluding real estate considered to be inventory of the entity. Real estate held for sale Real estate held for sale Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] The percentage of ordinary taxable income that the entity is required to distribute to shareholders. Percentage of ordinary taxable income that must be distributed to shareholders Percentage of ordinary taxable income that must be distributed to shareholders (in hundredths) The number of apartment units owned during the period. Number of apartment units owned Tabular disclosure of results of operations from acquired properties included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as of acquisition date. Results of operations from acquired properties [Text Block] Results of operations from acquired properties Tabular disclosure of disposal groups, which may include the gain (loss) recognized in the income statement and the income statement caption that includes that gain (loss). Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Gain Loss on Disposition [Table Text Block] Schedule of Dispositions Distributions paid to common shareholders, reinvestment. Distributions paid to common shareholders, reinvestment Distributions paid to common shareholders, reinvestment One of a group of housing units where each homeowner owns their individual unit space and all the dwelling share ownership of areas of common use. Condominium Unit [Member] Addition to intangible liabilities during the period. Addition to intangible liabilities The number of real estate properties sold during the period. Number of real estate properties sold Amount before amortization of liabilities, excluding financial liabilities, lacking physical substance with a finite life. Indentified intangible liabilities, gross Weighted average lives of intangible assets and intangible liabilities. Weighted average lives of intangible assets and intangible liabilities Amount after amortization of liabilities, excluding financial a liabilities, lacking physical substance with a finite life. Indentified intangible liabilities, net Indentified intangible liabilities, net Accumulated amount of amortization of liabilities, excluding financial liabilities, lacking physical substance with a finite life. Indentified intangible liabilities, accumulated amortization Indentified intangible liabilities, accumulated amortization IDENTIFIED INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND INTANGIBLE LIABILITIES AND GOODWILL [Abstract] Cash outflow in the form of ordinary dividends to redeemable noncontrolling interests, generally out of earnings. Distributions Paid To Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Consolidated Real Estate Entities Distributions paid to redeemable noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities The fair value of stock (or units) issued in noncash financing activities related to the entity's operating partnership distribution reinvestment plan. Operating partnership distribution reinvestment plan The dollar amount of assets that an Entity acquires in a noncash (or part noncash) acquisition that are not presented as a separate disclosure or not otherwise listed in the existing taxonomy. Noncash is defined as information about all investing and financing activities of an enterprise during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. Adjustments to accounts payable included within real estate investments Increase (decrease) to accounts payable included within real estate investments Assets acquired through issuance of operating partnership units Assets Acquired Through The Issuance Of Operating Partnership Units Real estate assets acquired through the issuance of operating partnership units The cash outflow associated with the increase in lender hold backs for improvements. Increase Lender Holdbacks For Improvements Increase in lender holdbacks for improvements Increase in lender holdbacks The cash inflow associated with the decrease in lender hold backs for improvements. Decrease In Lender Holdbacks For Improvements Decrease in lender holdbacks for improvements Decrease in lender holdbacks Cash received for the sale of real estate that is not part of an investing activity during the current period and the cash inflow associated with the sale of other investments not otherwise defined in the taxonomy. Proceeds from sale of real estate and other investments The cash outflow associated with the payment of deposits for real estate investment properties. Payments For Real Estate Deposits Payments for real estate deposits The cash inflow associated with the receipt of deposits for real estate investment properties. Proceeds From Real Estate Deposits Proceeds from real estate deposits The dollar value of the stock converted in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. Operating partnership units converted to shares Dollar value of real estate transferred in noncash transactions during the reporting period. Adjustments to redeemable noncontrolling interests Fair value adjustments to redeemable noncontrolling interests The fair value of stock (or units) issued in noncash financing activities related to the entity's distribution reinvestment plan. Distribution Reinvestment Plan Distribution reinvestment plan Cash Paid During The Year For [Abstract] Cash paid during the year for: Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information [Abstract] SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD This element represents movements included in the statement of changes in stockholders' equity which are not separately disclosed or provided for elsewhere in the taxonomy, in number of shares. Other, shares Other, shares (in shares) The value of partnership units issued during the period. Partnership Units Issued Partnership units issued Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust and nonredeemable noncontrolling interests. Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust and nonredeemable noncontrolling interests Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust and nonredeemable interests Proceeds From Issuance Initial Public Offering in Shares. Series B preferred shares issued (in shares) Direct costs associated with leasing operating our senior living real estate portfolio including labor, food, utilities, marketing, management and other direct operating costs. TRS senior housing expenses TRS senior housing expenses The receivables and other assets as of the balance sheet date. Receivables and other assets A classification of real estate for buildings, offices and campuses leased to members or organizations within the healthcare industry, but owned and operated by third party groups. Commercial Healthcare [Member] Commercial-Healthcare [Member] A business segment for reporting the information separately. Commercial Office [Member] Commercial-Office [Member] A classification of real estate where multiple separate housing units for residential inhabitants are contained within one building or several buildings within one complex. Multi Family Residential [Member] Multi-Family Residential [Member] A business segment for reporting the information separately. Commercial Retail [Member] Commercial-Retail [Member] A business segment for reporting the information separately. Commercial Industrial [Member] Commercial-Industrial [Member] Impairment of real estate investments with different values from Cash Flows element. Impairment of real estate investments Impairment of real estate investments The expenses related to administrative, advisory and trustee services. Administrative, advisory and trustee services Administrative, advisory and trustee services Depreciation and amortization including related to non real estate investments. Depreciation and amortization including related to non real estate investments Depreciation/amortization