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			15,368	2,038	17,406
Distributions - common shares and units			(40,685)		(49,193)
Distributions - common shares and units				(8,508)
Distributions - preferred shares					(8,636)	(1,779)	(1,779)	(6,857)	(6,857)
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan		44,153			44,153
DRIP Discount		5,239
Share-based compensation		112			112
Share-based compensation (in shares)		13
Partnership units issued				3,480	3,480
Redemption of units for common shares		1,131		(1,131)	0
Redemption of units for common shares, shares (in shares)		197
Contributions from nonredeemable noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities				3,316	3,316
Other		(34)		(731)	(765)
Other, shares (in shares)		0
Balance at Jan. 31, 2014	138,674	829,816	(344,294)	141,121	765,317
Balance, shares (in shares) at Jan. 31, 2014	5,750	106,937
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			13,334	1,351	14,685
Distributions - common shares and units			(45,222)		(51,975)
Distributions - common shares and units				(6,753)
Distributions - preferred shares					(8,636)	(1,779)	(1,779)	(6,857)	(6,857)
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan		50,875			50,875
DRIP Discount		6,205
Share-based compensation		2,632			2,632
Share-based compensation (in shares)		204
Partnership units issued				100	100
Redemption of units for common shares		38,512		(38,512)	0
Redemption of units for common shares, shares (in shares)		6,706
Contributions from nonredeemable noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities				8,540	8,540
Other				(555)	(555)
Balance at Jan. 31, 2015	$ 138,674	$ 935,287	$ (430,282)	$ 92,533	$ 736,212
Balance, shares (in shares) at Jan. 31, 2015	5,750	122,134