Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) reporting_unit segment shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Number of reporting units | reporting_unit	2
Impairment of unconsolidated entities	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Impairment of leasehold improvements and property and equipment	0	0	$ 0
Restricted cash	45,018,000	59,767,000
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 6,000,000	$ 6,600,000
Number of reportable segments | segment	2
Number of operating segments | segment	2
Selling Commissions Allowable [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Revenue from related party allowed, percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Selling Commissions Allowable [Member] | Cole REITs [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Revenue from related party allowed, percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Convertible Debt [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding	$ 1,000,000,000	$ 1,000,000,000
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	0
Lender Reserves [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Restricted cash	40,700,000	47,900,000
Restricted Lockbox Accounts [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 4,300,000	11,900,000
REI Segment [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Number of reporting units | reporting_unit	1
Cole Capital Segment [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Number of reporting units | reporting_unit	1
Number of reportable segments | segment	1
Minimum [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Lease up period	6 months
Length of time for properties more likely than not of being disposed	12 months
Maximum [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Lease up period	18 months
Length of time for properties more likely than not of being disposed	24 months
Buildings [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment estimated useful life	40 years
Building Fixtures and Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment estimated useful life	5 years
Building Fixtures and Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment estimated useful life	15 years
Computer Hardware and Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment estimated useful life	3 years
Computer Hardware and Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment estimated useful life	7 years
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 45,018,000	$ 59,767,000
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | Convertible Debt [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Aggregate balance outstanding	$ 1,000,000,000
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Limited Partner OP Units outstanding (shares) | shares	23,748,347	23,763,797
Rent and Tenant Receivables and Other Assets, Net [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Deferred rental income	$ 57,600,000	$ 67,200,000