CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Rental income		$ 1,227,937	$ 1,339,787	$ 1,271,574
Direct financing lease income		2,055	2,720	3,603
Operating expense reimbursements		105,455	98,628	100,522
Cole Capital revenue		119,376	114,882	203,558
Total revenues		1,454,823	1,556,017	1,579,257
Operating expenses:
Cole Capital reallowed fees and commissions		23,174	16,195	66,228
Acquisition related	[1]	1,321	6,243	38,940
Litigation, merger and other non-routine costs, net of insurance recoveries	[2]	3,884	33,628	199,616
Property operating		144,428	130,855	137,741
Management fees to affiliates		0	0	13,888
General and administrative	[3]	136,608	149,066	167,428
Depreciation and amortization		788,186	847,611	916,003
Impairments		303,751	305,094	409,991
Total operating expenses		1,401,352	1,488,692	1,949,835
Operating income (loss)		53,471	67,325	(370,578)
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense		(317,376)	(358,392)	(452,648)
(Loss) gain on extinguishment and forgiveness of debt, net		(771)	4,812	(21,869)
Other income, net		6,035	6,439	88,596
Reserve for loan loss		0	(15,300)	0
Equity in income (loss) and gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities		9,783	9,092	(76)
Loss on derivative instruments, net		(1,191)	(1,460)	(10,570)
Total other expenses, net		(303,520)	(354,809)	(396,567)
Loss before taxes and real estate dispositions		(250,049)	(287,484)	(767,145)
Gain (loss) on disposition of real estate and held for sale assets, net		45,524	(72,311)	(277,031)
Loss before taxes		(204,525)	(359,795)	(1,044,176)
Benefit from income taxes		3,701	36,303	33,264
Net loss		(200,824)	(323,492)	(1,010,912)
Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests	[4]	4,961	7,139	33,727
Net loss attributable to the General Partner/OP		$ (195,863)	$ (316,353)	$ (977,185)
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders (in dollars per share)		$ (0.29)	$ (0.43)	$ (1.36)
Distributions declared per common share / unit (in dollars per share)		$ 0.55	$ 0.28	$ 1.03000
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Revenues:
Rental income		$ 1,227,937	$ 1,339,787	$ 1,271,574
Direct financing lease income		2,055	2,720	3,603
Operating expense reimbursements		105,455	98,628	100,522
Cole Capital revenue		119,376	114,882	203,558
Total revenues		1,454,823	1,556,017	1,579,257
Operating expenses:
Cole Capital reallowed fees and commissions		23,174	16,195	66,228
Acquisition related	[5]	1,321	6,243	38,940
Litigation, merger and other non-routine costs, net of insurance recoveries	[6]	3,884	33,628	199,616
Property operating		144,428	130,855	137,741
Management fees to affiliates		0	0	13,888
General and administrative	[7]	136,608	149,066	167,428
Depreciation and amortization		788,186	847,611	916,003
Impairments		303,751	305,094	409,991
Total operating expenses		1,401,352	1,488,692	1,949,835
Operating income (loss)		53,471	67,325	(370,578)
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense		(317,376)	(358,392)	(452,648)
(Loss) gain on extinguishment and forgiveness of debt, net		(771)	4,812	(21,869)
Other income, net		6,035	6,439	88,596
Reserve for loan loss		0	(15,300)	0
Equity in income (loss) and gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities		9,783	9,092	(76)
Loss on derivative instruments, net		(1,191)	(1,460)	(10,570)
Total other expenses, net		(303,520)	(354,809)	(396,567)
Loss before taxes and real estate dispositions		(250,049)	(287,484)	(767,145)
Gain (loss) on disposition of real estate and held for sale assets, net		45,524	(72,311)	(277,031)
Loss before taxes		(204,525)	(359,795)	(1,044,176)
Benefit from income taxes		3,701	36,303	33,264
Net loss		(200,824)	(323,492)	(1,010,912)
Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests	[8]	14	(1,274)	154
Net loss attributable to the General Partner/OP		$ (200,810)	$ (324,766)	$ (1,010,758)
Basic and diluted net loss per unit attributable to common unitholders (in dollars per share)		$ (0.29)	$ (0.43)	$ (1.36)
Distributions declared per common share / unit (in dollars per share)		$ 0.55	$ 0.28	$ 1.03

[1] Includes $1.7 million of expenses paid to affiliates of the Former Manager (as defined in Note 1 – Organization) for the year ended December 31, 2014. No such expenses were incurred during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

[2] Includes $137.8 million of expenses paid to affiliates of the Former Manager (as defined in Note 1 – Organization) for the year ended December 31, 2014. No such expenses were incurred during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

[3] Includes $16.1 million of expenses paid to affiliates of the Former Manager (as defined in Note 1 – Organization) for the year ended December 31, 2014. No such expenses were incurred during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

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

[5] Includes $1.7 million of expenses paid to affiliates of the Former Manager (as defined in Note 1 – Organization) for the year ended December 31, 2014. No such expenses were incurred during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

[6] Includes $137.8 million of expenses paid to affiliates of the Former Manager (as defined in Note 1 – Organization) for the year ended December 31, 2014. No such expenses were incurred during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

[7] Includes $16.1 million of expenses paid to affiliates of the Former Manager (as defined in Note 1 – Organization) for the year ended December 31, 2014. No such expenses were incurred during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

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