CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data		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, 2011		$ 27,317	$ 621,936	$ (237,563)	$ 132,600	[1]	$ 544,290	[1]
Balance, shares (in shares) at Apr. 30, 2011		1,150,000	80,523,000
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust and nonredeemable noncontrolling interests				8,212	1,482	[1]	9,694	[1]
Distributions - common shares and units				(46,654)	(11,102)	[1]	(57,756)	[1]
Distributions - preferred shares				(2,372)			(2,372)	[1]
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan			34,345				34,345	[1]
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan (in shares)			4,796,000
Shares issued			24,870				24,870	[1]
Shares issued, shares (in shares)			3,398,000
Partnership units issued	[1]				8,055		8,055
Redemption of units for common shares			3,454		(3,454)	[1]	0	[1]
Redemption of units for common shares, shares (in shares)			759,000
Other			(556)		4,693	[1]	4,137	[1]
Other, shares (in shares)			(2,000)
Balance at Apr. 30, 2012		27,317	684,049	(278,377)	132,274	[1]	565,263	[1]
Balance, shares (in shares) at Apr. 30, 2012		1,150,000	89,474,000
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust and nonredeemable noncontrolling interests				25,530	4,437	[1]	29,967	[1]
Distributions - common shares and units				(48,265)	(10,985)	[1]	(59,250)	[1]
Distributions - preferred shares									(2,372)	(2,372)	[1]		(6,857)	(6,857)	[1]
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan			43,123				43,123	[1]
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan (in shares)			5,290,000
Shares issued			55,846				55,846	[1]
Shares issued, shares (in shares)			6,409,000
Series B preferred shares issued												111,357		111,357	[1]
Series B preferred shares issued, in shares												4,600,000
Partnership units issued	[1]				12,632		12,632
Redemption of units for common shares			1,551		(1,551)	[1]	0	[1]
Redemption of units for common shares, shares (in shares)			317,000
Contributions from nonredeemable noncontrolling interests consolidated real estate entities	[1]				6,483		6,483
Other			(115)		(633)	[1]	(748)	[1]
Other, shares (in shares)			(2,000)
Balance at Apr. 30, 2013		138,674	784,454	(310,341)	142,657	[1]	755,444	[1]
Balance, shares (in shares) at Apr. 30, 2013		5,750,000	101,488,000
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust and nonredeemable noncontrolling interests				(13,174)	(4,033)	[1]	(17,207)	[1]
Distributions - common shares and units				(54,729)	(11,283)	[1]	(66,012)	[1]
Distributions - preferred shares									(2,372)	(2,372)	[1]		(9,142)	(9,142)	[1]
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan			55,793				55,793	[1]
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan (in shares)			5,239,000
Shares issued			112				112	[1]
Shares issued, shares (in shares)			13,000
Partnership units issued	[1]				3,480		3,480
Redemption of units for common shares			4,353		(4,353)	[1]	0	[1]
Redemption of units for common shares, shares (in shares)			197,000
Contributions from nonredeemable noncontrolling interests consolidated real estate entities	[1]				3,895		3,895
Other			(1,444)		(2,001)	[1]	(3,445)	[1]
Balance at Apr. 30, 2014		$ 138,674	$ 843,268	$ (389,758)	$ 128,362	[1]	$ 720,546	[1]
Balance, shares (in shares) at Apr. 30, 2014		5,750,000	106,937,000

[1] (as revised)