Document and Entity Information (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Document And Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	DSI Realty Income Fund VII
Entity Central Index Key	0000719581
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2013
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Is Entity a Well-known Seasoned Issuer?	No
Is Entity a Voluntary Filer?	No
Is Entity's Reporting Status Current?	No
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Public Float	$ 12,000,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	24,000
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013