EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012
EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]
Ratio of units exchanged for shares									one-for-one basis
Minimum holding period									1 year
NUMERATOR [Abstract]
(Loss) income from continuing operations - Investors Real Estate Trust									$ (18,508)	$ 17,929	$ 7,357
Income from discontinued operations - Investors Real Estate Trust									5,334	7,601	855
Net (loss) income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust	(28,542)	3,503	8,787	3,078	10,015	5,324	8,512	1,679	(13,174)	25,530	8,212
Dividends to preferred shareholders									(11,514)	(9,229)	(2,372)
Numerator for basic earnings per share - net (loss) income available to common shareholders	(31,420)	624	5,909	199	7,136	2,445	5,634	1,086	(24,688)	16,301	5,840
Noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership									(4,676)	3,633	1,359
Numerator for diluted earnings per share									$ (29,364)	$ 19,934	$ 7,199
DENOMINATOR [Abstract]
Denominator for basic earnings per share weighted average shares (in shares)									105,331	93,344	83,557
Effect of convertible operating partnership units (in shares)									21,697	21,191	19,875
Denominator for diluted earnings per share (in shares)									127,028	114,535	103,432
(Loss) earnings per common share from continuing operations - Investors Real Estate Trust - basic and diluted									$ (0.28)	$ 0.09	$ 0.06
Earnings (loss) per common share from discontinued operations - Investors Real Estate Trust - basic and diluted (in dollars per share)									$ 0.05	$ 0.08	$ 0.01
NET (LOSS) INCOME PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC & DILUTED (in dollars per share)	$ (0.29)	$ 0	$ 0.06	$ 0	$ 0.07	$ 0.03	$ 0.06	$ 0.01	$ (0.23)	$ 0.17	$ 0.07