COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions |
3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jun. 06, 2011
USD ($)
|
Dec. 09, 2010
lender
|
Sep. 30, 2015
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
joint_venture
|
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
|
Aug. 25, 2011
USD ($)
|
|
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] | |||||||
Rent expense | $ 7.8 | $ 6.6 | $ 6.5 | ||||
Sublease income | $ 0.6 | $ 0.5 | $ 0.6 | ||||
South Edge [Member] | |||||||
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] | |||||||
Number of co-venturers liable to Meritage | joint_venture | 4 | ||||||
JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. v. South Edge LLC, Case No. 10-32968-bam [Member] | Pending Litigation [Member] | |||||||
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] | |||||||
Number of lenders filing petition for involuntary bankruptcy | lender | 3 | ||||||
Amount requested in demand for arbitration related to alleged breaches | $ 13.2 | ||||||
Litigation judgment amount with interest | $ 16.6 | ||||||
Incremental charges | $ 4.1 | ||||||
South Edge Guarantee [Member] | |||||||
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] | |||||||
Interest in joint venture | 3.53% |