CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	PREFERRED SHARES [Member]	COMMON SHARES [Member]	ACCUMULATED DISTRIBUTIONS IN EXCESS OF NET INCOME [Member]	NONREDEEMABLE 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, 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 noncontrolling interests			4,963	538	5,501
Distributions - common shares and units			(29,484)		(34,362)
Distributions - common shares and units				(4,878)
Distributions - preferred shares					(5,757)	$ (1,186)	$ (1,186)	$ (4,571)	$ (4,571)
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan		$ 34,821			34,821
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan (in shares)		4,212
Share-based compensation		$ 2,432			2,432
Share-based compensation (in shares)		204
Partnership units issued				100	100
Redemption of units for common shares		$ 37,700		(37,700)	0
Redemption of units for common shares (in shares)		6,374
Contributions from nonredeemable noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities				3,757	3,757
Other				(370)	(370)
Balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2014	5,750	119,809
Balance at Oct. 31, 2014	$ 138,674	$ 918,221	(420,036)	89,809	726,668
Balance at Apr. 30, 2015	$ 138,674	$ 951,868	(438,432)	88,844	740,954
Balance (in shares) at Apr. 30, 2015	5,750	124,455
Net income attributable to Investors Real Estate Trust and nonredeemable noncontrolling interests			21,206	287	21,493
Distributions - common shares and units			(32,525)		(36,151)
Distributions - common shares and units				(3,626)
Distributions - preferred shares					(5,757)	$ (1,186)	$ (1,186)	$ (4,571)	$ (4,571)
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan		$ 5,619			5,619
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan (in shares)		821
Share-based compensation		$ 482			482
Share-based compensation (in shares)		220
Partnership units issued				400	400
Redemption of units for common shares		$ 855		(855)	0
Redemption of units for common shares (in shares)		154
Shares repurchased		$ (21,931)			(21,931)
Shares repurchased (in shares)		(2,852)
Other				(6,236)	(6,236)
Balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2015	5,750	122,798
Balance at Oct. 31, 2015	$ 138,674	$ 936,893	$ (455,508)	$ 78,814	$ 698,873