Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash - Schedule of Restricted Cash Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 253,603	$ 236,684	$ 153,781	$ 222,092
Resident security deposits
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	153,492	147,098
Property taxes
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	60,350	20,785
Collections
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	24,854	40,607
Standing and capital expenditure reserves
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	8,245	5,257
Letters of credit
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	3,443	3,567
Special and other reserves
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	3,219	4,250
Derivative collateral
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 0	$ 15,120