CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012
REVENUE
Real estate rentals	$ 219,921	$ 204,719	$ 188,299
Tenant reimbursement	45,561	43,339	40,372
TOTAL REVENUE	265,482	248,058	228,671
EXPENSES
Depreciation/amortization related to real estate investments	67,592	59,306	53,690
Utilities	21,864	18,792	17,106
Maintenance	31,158	28,340	25,530
Real estate taxes	32,982	32,182	29,349
Insurance	5,165	3,734	3,343
Property management expenses	16,961	15,003	18,164
Other property expenses	357	1,008	(142)
Administrative expenses	9,938	7,904	6,694
Advisory and trustee services	805	590	687
Other expenses	2,132	2,173	1,898
Amortization related to non-real estate investments	3,326	3,027	2,960
Impairment of real estate investments	42,566	0	0
TOTAL EXPENSES	234,846	172,059	159,279
Gain on involuntary conversion	2,480	5,084	274
Operating income	33,116	81,083	69,666
Interest expense	(59,142)	(61,154)	(61,801)
Interest income	1,908	222	148
Other income	779	526	631
(Loss) income before loss on sale of real estate and other investments and income from discontinued operations	(23,339)	20,677	8,644
Loss on sale of real estate and other investments	(51)	0	0
(Loss) income from continuing operations	(23,390)	20,677	8,644
Income from discontinued operations	6,450	9,295	1,062
NET (LOSS) INCOME	(16,940)	29,972	9,706
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership	4,676	(3,633)	(1,359)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities	(910)	(809)	(135)
Net (loss) income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust	(13,174)	25,530	8,212
Dividends to preferred shareholders	(11,514)	(9,229)	(2,372)
NET (LOSS) INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	$ (24,688)	$ 16,301	$ 5,840
(Loss) earnings per common share from continuing operations - Investors Real Estate Trust - basic and diluted	$ (0.28)	$ 0.09	$ 0.06
Earnings per common share from discontinued operations - Investors Real Estate Trust - basic and diluted	$ 0.05	$ 0.08	$ 0.01
NET (LOSS) INCOME PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC & DILUTED	$ (0.23)	$ 0.17	$ 0.07