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			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
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan (in shares)		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 (in shares)		6,706
Contributions from nonredeemable noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities				8,540	8,540
Distributions paid to non-controlling interests				(555)	(555)
Balance (in shares) at Jan. 31, 2015	5,750	122,134
Balance at Jan. 31, 2015	$ 138,674	$ 935,287	(430,282)	92,533	736,212
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			61,003	4,087	65,090
Distributions - common shares and units			(48,323)		(53,754)
Distributions - common shares and units				(5,431)
Distributions - preferred shares					(8,636)	$ (1,779)	$ (1,779)	$ (6,857)	$ (6,857)
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan		$ 5,619			5,619
Distribution reinvestment and share purchase plan (in shares)		821
Share-based compensation		$ 1,191			1,191
Share-based compensation (in shares)		220
Partnership units issued				400	400
Redemption of units for common shares		$ 980		(980)	0
Redemption of units for common shares (in shares)		181
Shares repurchased		$ (35,000)			(35,000)
Shares repurchased (in shares)		(4,643)
Distributions paid to non-controlling interests				(6,935)	(6,935)
Balance (in shares) at Jan. 31, 2016	5,750	121,034
Balance at Jan. 31, 2016	$ 138,674	$ 924,658	$ (434,388)	$ 79,985	$ 708,929