Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 316,599	$ 306,543	$ 308,245	$ 320,898	$ 327,281	$ 331,846	$ 338,533	$ 337,787	$ 1,252,285	$ 1,335,447	$ 1,441,135
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(2,479)	12,489	29,550	11,935	10,703	28,865	246	(116,701)	51,495	(76,887)	(138,992)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(30,613)	4,005	4,636	2,855	(128,926)	1,381	2,987	621	(19,117)	(123,937)	(184,500)
Net income (loss)	(33,092)	16,494	34,186	14,790	(118,223)	30,246	3,233	(116,080)	32,378	(200,824)	(323,492)
Net income (loss) attributable to the General Partner / OP	$ (32,122)	$ 16,094	$ 33,408	$ 14,438	$ (115,418)	$ 29,495	$ 3,146	$ (113,086)	$ 31,818	$ (195,863)	$ (316,353)
Basic and diluted net loss per share from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.01	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.01	$ (0.02)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.23)
Basic and diluted net loss per share from discontinued operations attributable to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	(0.03)	0.00	0.01	0.00	(0.13)	0.00	0.00	0.00	(0.02)	(0.13)	(0.20)
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.05)	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ 0.00	$ (0.14)	$ 0.01	$ (0.02)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.29)	$ (0.43)
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 316,599	$ 306,543	$ 308,245	$ 320,898	$ 327,281	$ 331,846	$ 338,533	$ 337,787	$ 1,252,285	$ 1,335,447	$ 1,441,135
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(2,479)	12,489	29,550	11,935	10,703	28,865	246	(116,701)	51,495	(76,887)	(138,992)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(30,613)	4,005	4,636	2,855	(128,926)	1,381	2,987	621	(19,117)	(123,937)	(184,500)
Net income (loss)	(33,092)	16,494	34,186	14,790	(118,223)	30,246	3,233	(116,080)	32,378	(200,824)	(323,492)
Net income (loss) attributable to the General Partner / OP	$ (32,910)	$ 16,485	$ 34,200	$ 14,797	$ (118,232)	$ 30,234	$ 3,229	$ (116,041)	$ 32,572	$ (200,810)	$ (324,766)
Basic and diluted net loss per unit from continuing operations attributable to common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.01	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.01	$ (0.02)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.23)
Basic and diluted net loss per unit from discontinued operations attributable to common unitholders (in usd per share)	(0.03)	0.00	0.01	0.00	(0.13)	0.00	0.00	0.00	(0.02)	(0.13)	(0.20)
Basic and diluted net loss per unit attributable to common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.05)	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ 0.00	$ (0.14)	$ 0.01	$ (0.02)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.29)	$ (0.43)