CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $)	PREFERRED SHARES [Member]	COMMON SHARES [Member]	ACCUMULATED DISTRIBUTIONS IN EXCESS OF NET INCOME [Member]	NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS [Member]	Total	Preferred Class A [Member] ACCUMULATED DISTRIBUTIONS IN EXCESS OF NET INCOME [Member]	Preferred Class A [Member]	Preferred Class B [Member] PREFERRED SHARES [Member]	Preferred Class B [Member] ACCUMULATED DISTRIBUTIONS IN EXCESS OF NET INCOME [Member]	Preferred Class B [Member]
Balance at Apr. 30, 2012	$ 27,317,000	$ 684,049,000	$ (278,377,000)	$ 132,274,000	$ 565,263,000
Balance, shares (in shares) at Apr. 30, 2012	1,150,000	89,474,000
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust and nonredeemable interests			10,191,000	1,815,000	12,006,000
Distributions - common shares and units			(23,739,000)	(5,431,000)	(29,170,000)
Distributions - preferred shares					(3,471,000)	(1,186,000)	(1,186,000)		(2,285,000)	(2,285,000)
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan		24,421,000			24,421,000
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan (in shares)		3,165,000
Shares issued		2,846,000			2,846,000
Shares issued, shares (in shares)		396,000
Series B preferred shares issued								111,357,000		111,357,000
Series B preferred shares issued (in shares)								4,600,000
Partnership units issued				8,116,000	8,116,000
Redemption of units for common shares		579,000		(579,000)	0
Redemption of units for common shares, shares (in shares)		128,000
Other		(15,000)		1,136,000	1,121,000
Other, shares (in shares)		(2,000)
Balance at Oct. 31, 2012	138,674,000	711,880,000	(295,396,000)	137,331,000	692,489,000
Balance, shares (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2012	5,750,000	93,161,000
Balance at Apr. 30, 2013	138,674,000	784,454,000	(310,341,000)	148,594,000	761,381,000
Balance, shares (in shares) at Apr. 30, 2013	5,750,000	101,488,000
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust and nonredeemable interests			11,865,000	1,648,000	13,513,000
Distributions - common shares and units			(26,883,000)	(5,671,000)	(32,554,000)
Distributions - preferred shares					(5,757,000)	(1,186,000)	(1,186,000)		(4,571,000)	(4,571,000)
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan		33,021,000			33,021,000
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan (in shares)		3,893,000
Shares issued		112,000			112,000
Shares issued, shares (in shares)		13,000
Partnership units issued				3,480,000	3,480,000
Redemption of units for common shares		946,000		(946,000)	0
Redemption of units for common shares, shares (in shares)		160,000
Contributions from noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities				3,316,000	3,316,000
Other		(17,000)		(560,000)	(577,000)
Balance at Oct. 31, 2013	$ 138,674,000	$ 818,516,000	$ (331,116,000)	$ 149,861,000	$ 775,935,000
Balance, shares (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2013	5,750,000	105,554,000