CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Rental revenue		$ 1,257,867		$ 1,252,285		$ 1,335,447
Operating expenses:
Acquisition-related		3,632		3,402		1,321
Litigation, merger and other non-routine costs, net of insurance recoveries		290,963		47,960		3,884
Property operating		126,461		128,717		144,428
General and administrative		63,933		58,603		51,927
Depreciation and amortization		640,618		706,802		762,038
Impairments		54,647		50,548		182,820
Total operating expenses		1,180,254		996,032		1,146,418
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense		(280,887)		(289,766)		(317,376)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment and forgiveness of debt, net		5,360		18,373		(771)
Other income, net		14,735		6,242		5,251
Equity in income and gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities		1,869		2,763		9,783
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net		355		2,976		(1,191)
Gain on disposition of real estate and real estate assets held for sale, net		94,331		61,536		45,524
Total other expenses, net		(164,237)		(197,876)		(258,780)
(Loss) income before taxes		(86,624)		58,377		(69,751)
Provision for income taxes		(5,101)		(6,882)		(7,136)
(Loss) income from continuing operations		(91,725)		51,495		(76,887)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		3,695		(19,117)		(123,937)
Net (loss) income		(88,030)		32,378		(200,824)
Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests		2,256	[1]	(560)	[1]	4,961	[2]
Net (loss) income attributable to the General Partner / OP		$ (85,774)		$ 31,818		$ (195,863)
Basic and diluted net loss per share from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders (in dollars per share)		$ (0.17)		$ (0.02)		$ (0.16)
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share from discontinued operations attributable to common stockholders (in dollars per share)		0.00		(0.02)		(0.13)
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	[3]	$ (0.16)		$ (0.04)		$ (0.29)
VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Rental revenue		$ 1,257,867		$ 1,252,285		$ 1,335,447
Operating expenses:
Acquisition-related		3,632		3,402		1,321
Litigation, merger and other non-routine costs, net of insurance recoveries		290,963		47,960		3,884
Property operating		126,461		128,717		144,428
General and administrative		63,933		58,603		51,927
Depreciation and amortization		640,618		706,802		762,038
Impairments		54,647		50,548		182,820
Total operating expenses		1,180,254		996,032		1,146,418
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense		(280,887)		(289,766)		(317,376)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment and forgiveness of debt, net		5,360		18,373		(771)
Other income, net		14,735		6,242		5,251
Equity in income and gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities		1,869		2,763		9,783
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net		355		2,976		(1,191)
Gain on disposition of real estate and real estate assets held for sale, net		94,331		61,536		45,524
Total other expenses, net		(164,237)		(197,876)		(258,780)
(Loss) income before taxes		(86,624)		58,377		(69,751)
Provision for income taxes		(5,101)		(6,882)		(7,136)
(Loss) income from continuing operations		(91,725)		51,495		(76,887)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		3,695		(19,117)		(123,937)
Net (loss) income		(88,030)		32,378		(200,824)
Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests		154		194		14
Net (loss) income attributable to the General Partner / OP		$ (87,876)		$ 32,572		$ (200,810)
Basic and diluted net loss per unit from continuing operations attributable to common unitholders (in dollars per share)		$ (0.17)		$ (0.02)		$ (0.16)
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per unit from discontinued operations attributable to common unitholders (in dollars per share)		0.00		(0.02)		(0.13)
Basic and diluted net loss per unit attributable to common unitholders (in dollars per share)	[4]	$ (0.16)		$ (0.04)		$ (0.29)

[1] Represents net loss (income) attributable to limited partners and consolidated joint venture partners.

[2] Represents net loss attributable to consolidated joint venture partners.

[3] Amounts may not total due to rounding.

[4] Amounts may not total due to rounding.