Schedule III - Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation (Details 2) (USD $) In Billions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule III: Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Amount that the tax basis of the Company's net real estate is less than the reported amounts	$ 1.6

The amount by which the tax basis of the entity's net real estate is less than the reported amounts as of year-end.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_RealEstateFederalIncomeTaxBasisLessThanReportedNetAssets
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant