CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands	PREFERRED SHARES [Member]	COMMON SHARES [Member]	ACCUMULATED DISTRIBUTIONS IN EXCESS OF NET INCOME [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Total		Preferred Series A [Member] ACCUMULATED DISTRIBUTIONS IN EXCESS OF NET INCOME [Member]	Preferred Series A [Member]	Preferred Series B [Member] ACCUMULATED DISTRIBUTIONS IN EXCESS OF NET INCOME [Member]	Preferred Series B [Member]
Balance at Apr. 30, 2013	$ 138,674	$ 784,454	$ (310,341)	$ 142,657	$ 755,444
Balance (in shares) at Apr. 30, 2013	5,750	101,488
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust and nonredeemable interests			3,078	126	3,204
Distributions - common shares and units			(13,264)	(2,829)	(16,093)
Distributions - preferred shares					(2,879)		(593)	(593)	(2,286)	(2,286)
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan		22,673			22,673
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan (in shares)		2,600
Share-based compensation		112			112
Share-based compensation (in shares)		13
Partnership units issued				3,280	3,280
Redemption of units for common shares		706		(706)	0
Redemption of units for common shares, shares (in shares)		125
Other		(17)		(367)	(384)
Other, shares (in shares)		0
Balance at Jul. 31, 2013	138,674	807,928	(323,406)	142,161	765,357
Balance, shares (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2013	5,750	104,226
Balance at Apr. 30, 2014	138,674	843,268	(389,758)	128,362	720,546
Balance (in shares) at Apr. 30, 2014	5,750	109,019
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust and nonredeemable interests			(151)	(157)	(308)
Distributions - common shares and units			(14,264)	(2,740)	(17,004)
Distributions - preferred shares					(2,879)		(593)	(593)	(2,286)	(2,286)
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan		20,926			20,926
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan (in shares)		2,422
Share-based compensation		1,889			1,889
Share-based compensation (in shares)		204
Partnership units issued				0	0
Redemption of units for common shares		18,332		(18,332)	0
Redemption of units for common shares, shares (in shares)		3,118
Contributions from nonredeemable noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities				3,212	3,212	[1]
Other				(185)	(185)
Balance at Jul. 31, 2014	$ 138,674	$ 884,415	$ (407,052)	$ 110,160	$ 726,197
Balance, shares (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2014	5,750	114,763

[1] Consists of assumed debt (Homestead Garden I - $6.7 million, Homestead Garden II - $3.2 million, Silver Springs - $2.3 million) and value of land contributed by the joint