CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Shares	Additional Paid-in Capital	Cumulative Net Income	Cumulative Distributions	Cumulative Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 2,776,989	$ 1,881	$ 3,497,590	$ 1,194,985	$ (1,925,879)	$ 8,412
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		188,167,643
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Comprehensive income (loss)	153,554			158,637		(5,083)
Distributions	(305,767)				(305,767)
Issuance of shares (in shares)		15,648,462
Issuance of shares	325,611	$ 156	325,455
Share grants (in shares)		94,200
Share grants	2,020	$ 2	2,018
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	2,952,407	$ 2,039	3,825,063	1,353,622	(2,231,646)	3,329
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		203,910,305
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Comprehensive income (loss)	88,102			123,968		(35,866)
Distributions	(356,384)				(356,384)
Distribution to common shareholders of The RMR Group Inc. common stock	(31,341)				(31,341)
Issuance of shares (in shares)		33,475,367
Issuance of shares	705,748	$ 335	705,413
Share grants (in shares)		99,000
Share grants	1,440	$ 1	1,439
Share repurchases (in shares)		(13,113)
Share repurchases	(212)		(212)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 3,359,760	$ 2,375	4,531,703	1,477,590	(2,619,371)	(32,537)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015	237,471,559	237,471,559
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 208,381			141,295		67,086
Distributions	(370,489)				(370,489)
Share grants (in shares)		92,150
Share grants	2,205	$ 1	2,204
Share repurchases (in shares)		(19,230)
Share repurchases	(452)	$ (1)	(451)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 3,199,405	$ 2,375	$ 4,533,456	$ 1,618,885	$ (2,989,860)	$ 34,549
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016	237,544,479	237,544,479