Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Mar. 03, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	INVESTORS REAL ESTATE TRUST
Entity Central Index Key	0000798359
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--04-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		121,054,247
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jan. 31, 2016