EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
NUMERATOR [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations - Investors Real Estate Trust	$ 6,245	$ 793	$ 7,951	$ 2,224
Income from discontinued operations - Investors Real Estate Trust	2,267	492	2,240	482
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust	8,512	1,285	10,191	2,706
Dividends to preferred shareholders	(2,878)	(593)	(3,471)	(1,186)
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	5,634	692	6,720	1,520
Noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership	1,290	194	1,541	372
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$ 6,924	$ 886	$ 8,261	$ 1,892
DENOMINATOR [Abstract]
Denominator for basic earnings per share weighted average shares	92,475	82,078	91,495	81,467
Effect of convertible operating partnership units	21,215	19,591	20,963	19,819
Denominator for diluted earnings per share	113,690	101,669	112,458	101,286
Earnings per common share from continuing operations - Investors Real Estate Trust - basic and diluted	$ 0.04	$ 0.00	$ 0.05	$ 0.01
Earnings per common share from discontinued operations - Investors Real Estate Trust - basic and diluted	$ 0.02	$ 0.01	$ 0.02	$ 0.01
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC AND DILUTED	$ 0.06	$ 0.01	$ 0.07	$ 0.02