BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Compensating Balances and Other Investments Lender Holdbacks (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2015
COMPENSATING BALANCES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS LENDER HOLDBACKS [Abstract]
Decrease in lender holdbacks	$ 2,665	$ 4,347	$ 10,738
Increase in lender holdbacks for improvements	$ 903	$ 1,136	$ 1,204

The cash inflow associated with the decrease in lender hold backs for improvements.

No definition available.

Name:	iret_DecreaseInLenderHoldbacksForImprovements
Namespace Prefix:	iret_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration