FINANCING RECEIVABLES (Allowance for Credit Losses) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Activity in the allowance for credit losses of financing receivables [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 32,628		$ 12,604	$ 27,613		$ 10,935
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses	338		2,962	5,490		5,212
Charge-offs	(25)			165		(124)
Recoveries	19		6	22		31
Deconsolidation of LEAF						(482)
Balance, end of period	32,960		15,572	32,960		15,572
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	32,906		15,538	32,906		15,538
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	54		34	54		34
Balance, end of period	32,960		15,572	32,960		15,572
Gross financing receivables related to the balance in the allowance for credit losses [Abstract]
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	65,234			65,234			68,631
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	112			112			45
Balance, end of period	65,346			65,346			68,676
Receivables from Managed Entities [Member]
Activity in the allowance for credit losses of financing receivables [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	32,560		12,575	27,580		10,490
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses	330		2,963	5,450		5,048
Charge-offs	0			(140)		0
Recoveries	16		0	16		0
Deconsolidation of LEAF						0
Balance, end of period	32,906		15,538	32,906		15,538
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	32,906		15,538	32,906		15,538
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	0		0	0		0
Balance, end of period	32,906		15,538	32,906		15,538
Gross financing receivables related to the balance in the allowance for credit losses [Abstract]
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	65,234			65,234			68,631
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	0			0			0
Balance, end of period	65,234	[1]		65,234	[1]		68,631	[2]
Leases and Loans [Member]
Activity in the allowance for credit losses of financing receivables [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	0		0	0		430
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses	(3)		(6)	(6)		145
Charge-offs	0			0		(124)
Recoveries	3		6	6		31
Deconsolidation of LEAF						(482)
Balance, end of period	0		0	0		0
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	0		0	0		0
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	0		0	0		0
Balance, end of period	0		0	0		0
Rent Receivables [Member]
Activity in the allowance for credit losses of financing receivables [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	68		29	33		15
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses	11		5	46		19
Charge-offs	(25)			(25)		0
Recoveries	0		0	0		0
Deconsolidation of LEAF						0
Balance, end of period	54		34	54		34
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	0		0	0		0
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	54		34	54		34
Balance, end of period	54		34	54		34
Gross financing receivables related to the balance in the allowance for credit losses [Abstract]
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	0			0			0
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	112			112			45
Balance, end of period	$ 112			$ 112			$ 45

[1] Receivables are presented gross of an allowance for credit losses of $32.4 million and $457,000 related to the Company’s commercial finance and financial fund management investment entities, respectively. The remaining receivables from managed entities and related parties have no related allowance for credit losses.

[2] Receivables are presented gross of an allowance for credit losses of $25.1 million and $2.5 million related to the Company’s commercial finance and real estate investment entities, respectively. The remaining receivables from managed entities and related parties had no related allowance for credit losses.