Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Nov. 01, 2019
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	RAS
Entity Registrant Name	RAIT FINANCIAL TRUST
Entity Central Index Key	0001045425
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	No
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,849,252
Entity File Number	1-14760
Entity Tax Identification Number	232919819
Entity Address, Address Line One	Two Logan Square, 100 N. 18th Street
Entity Address, Address Line Two	23rd Floor
Entity Address, City or Town	Philadelphia
Entity Address, State or Province	PA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	19103
City Area Code	(215)
Local Phone Number	207-2100