Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Dec. 05, 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 Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		121,748,585
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Oct. 31, 2016