CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues:
Rental income		$ 1,339,787	$ 1,271,574	$ 310,508
Direct financing lease income		2,720	3,603	2,244
Operating expense reimbursements		98,628	100,522	16,571
Cole Capital revenue		114,882	203,558	0
Total revenues		1,556,017	1,579,257	329,323
Operating expenses:
Cole Capital reallowed fees and commissions		16,195	66,228	0
Acquisition related	[1]	6,243	38,940	76,113
Merger and other non-routine transactions, net of insurance recoveries	[2]	33,628	199,616	210,543
Property operating		130,855	137,741	23,629
Management fees to affiliates		0	13,888	17,462
General and administrative	[3]	149,066	167,428	120,998
Depreciation and amortization		847,611	916,003	210,976
Impairments		305,094	409,991	3,346
Total operating expenses		1,488,692	1,949,835	663,067
Operating income (loss)		67,325	(370,578)	(333,744)
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense		(358,392)	(452,648)	(105,548)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment and forgiveness of debt, net		4,812	(21,869)	0
Other income, net		8,737	82,163	3,824
Reserve for loan loss		(15,300)	0	0
Gain on disposition of interest in joint venture		6,729	0	0
Loss on derivative instruments, net		(1,460)	(10,570)	(67,946)
Gain (loss) on investment securities		65	6,357	(2,206)
Total other expenses, net		(354,809)	(396,567)	(171,876)
Loss before taxes and real estate dispositions		(287,484)	(767,145)	(505,620)
Loss on disposition of real estate, net		(72,311)	(277,031)	0
Loss before taxes		(359,795)	(1,044,176)	(505,620)
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		36,303	33,264	(2,195)
Net loss		(323,492)	(1,010,912)	(507,815)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests	[4]	7,139	33,727	16,316
Net loss attributable to the General Partner / OP		$ (316,353)	$ (977,185)	$ (491,499)
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders (in dollars per share)		$ (0.43)	$ (1.36)	$ (2.41)
Distributions declared per common share / unit (in dollars per share)		$ 0.28	$ 1.03	$ 1.26
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Revenues:
Rental income		$ 1,339,787	$ 1,271,574	$ 310,508
Direct financing lease income		2,720	3,603	2,244
Operating expense reimbursements		98,628	100,522	16,571
Cole Capital revenue		114,882	203,558	0
Total revenues		1,556,017	1,579,257	329,323
Operating expenses:
Cole Capital reallowed fees and commissions		16,195	66,228	0
Acquisition related	[5]	6,243	38,940	76,113
Merger and other non-routine transactions, net of insurance recoveries	[6]	33,628	199,616	210,543
Property operating		130,855	137,741	23,629
Management fees to affiliates		0	13,888	17,462
General and administrative	[7]	149,066	167,428	120,998
Depreciation and amortization		847,611	916,003	210,976
Impairments		305,094	409,991	3,346
Total operating expenses		1,488,692	1,949,835	663,067
Operating income (loss)		67,325	(370,578)	(333,744)
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense		(358,392)	(452,648)	(105,548)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment and forgiveness of debt, net		4,812	(21,869)	0
Other income, net		8,737	82,163	3,824
Reserve for loan loss		(15,300)	0	0
Gain on disposition of interest in joint venture		6,729	0	0
Loss on derivative instruments, net		(1,460)	(10,570)	(67,946)
Gain (loss) on investment securities		65	6,357	(2,206)
Total other expenses, net		(354,809)	(396,567)	(171,876)
Loss before taxes and real estate dispositions		(287,484)	(767,145)	(505,620)
Loss on disposition of real estate, net		(72,311)	(277,031)	0
Loss before taxes		(359,795)	(1,044,176)	(505,620)
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		36,303	33,264	(2,195)
Net loss		(323,492)	(1,010,912)	(507,815)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests	[8]	(1,274)	154	0
Net loss attributable to the General Partner / OP		$ (324,766)	$ (1,010,758)	$ (507,815)
Basic and diluted net loss from continuing operations per unit attributable to common unitholders (in dollars per share)		$ (0.43)	$ (1.36)	$ (2.39)
Distributions declared per common share / unit (in dollars per share)		$ 0.28	$ 1.03	$ 1.26

[1] Includes $1.7 million and $37.6 million of expenses incurred during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, paid to affiliates. No such expenses were incurred during the year ended December 31, 2015.

[2] Includes $137.8 million and $156.1 million of expenses incurred during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, paid to affiliates. No such expenses were incurred during the year ended December 31, 2015.

[3] Includes $16.1 million and $103.2 million of expenses incurred during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, paid to affiliates. No such expenses were incurred during the year ended December 31, 2015.

[4] Represents loss attributable to limited partners and consolidated joint venture partners.

[5] Includes $1.7 million and $37.6 million of expenses incurred during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, paid to affiliates. No such expenses were incurred during the year ended December 31, 2015.

[6] Includes $137.8 million and $156.1 million of expenses incurred during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, paid to affiliates. No such expenses were incurred during the year ended December 31, 2015.

[7] Includes $16.1 million and $103.2 million of expenses incurred during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, paid to affiliates. No such expenses were incurred during the year ended December 31, 2015.

[8] Represents (income) loss attributable to consolidated joint venture partners.