CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010
REVENUE
Real estate rentals	$ 198,859	$ 192,023	$ 186,030
Tenant reimbursement	42,929	44,931	44,913
TOTAL REVENUE	241,788	236,954	230,943
EXPENSES
Depreciation/amortization related to real estate investments	57,048	55,706	54,726
Utilities	17,628	18,224	17,094
Maintenance	26,578	29,212	26,957
Real estate taxes	31,746	30,799	30,140
Insurance	3,550	2,299	3,612
Property management expenses	18,776	21,268	18,339
Administrative expenses	6,694	6,617	5,716
Advisory and trustee services	687	605	502
Other expenses	1,898	1,747	2,513
Amortization related to non-real estate investments	3,216	2,679	2,362
TOTAL EXPENSES	167,821	169,156	161,961
Gain on involuntary conversion	274	0	1,660
Interest expense	(65,113)	(63,820)	(65,442)
Interest income	148	259	539
Other income	638	282	355
Income from continuing operations	9,914	4,519	6,094
(Loss) income from discontinued operations	(208)	19,832	(1,509)
NET INCOME	9,706	24,351	4,585
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership	(1,359)	(4,449)	(562)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities	(135)	180	(22)
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust	8,212	20,082	4,001
Dividends to preferred shareholders	(2,372)	(2,372)	(2,372)
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	$ 5,840	$ 17,710	$ 1,629
Earnings per common share from continuing operations - Investors Real Estate Trust - basic and diluted	$ 0.07	$ 0.02	$ 0.04
Earnings (loss) per common share from discontinued operations - Investors Real Estate Trust - basic and diluted	$ 0.00	$ 0.20	$ (0.01)
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC & DILUTED	$ 0.07	$ 0.22	$ 0.03
DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE	$ 0.5615	$ 0.6860	$ 0.6845