FINANCING RECEIVABLES (Allowance for Credit Losses) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Activity in the allowance for credit losses of financing receivables [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 32,960		$ 15,572	$ 27,613		$ 10,935
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses	1,647		5,698	7,137		10,910
Charge-offs	1			(164)		(124)
Recoveries	8		4	30		35
Deconsolidation of LEAF						(482)
Balance, end of period	34,616		21,274	34,616		21,274
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	34,587		21,249	34,587		21,249
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	29		25	29		25
Balance, end of period	34,616		21,274	34,616		21,274
Gross financing receivables related to the balance in the allowance for credit losses [Abstract]
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	67,020			67,020			68,631
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	43			43			45
Balance, end of period	67,063			67,063			68,676
Receivables from Managed Entities [Member]
Activity in the allowance for credit losses of financing receivables [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	32,906		15,538	27,580		10,490
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses	1,677		5,711	7,127		10,759
Charge-offs	0			(140)		0
Recoveries	4		0	20		0
Deconsolidation of LEAF						0
Balance, end of period	34,587		21,249	34,587		21,249
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	34,587		21,249	34,587		21,249
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	0		0	0		0
Balance, end of period	34,587		21,249	34,587		21,249
Gross financing receivables related to the balance in the allowance for credit losses [Abstract]
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	67,020			67,020			68,631
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	0			0			0
Balance, end of period	67,020	[1]		67,020	[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	(4)		(4)	(10)		141
Charge-offs	0			0		(124)
Recoveries	4		4	10		35
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	54		34	33		15
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses	(26)		(9)	20		10
Charge-offs	1			(24)		0
Recoveries	0		0	0		0
Deconsolidation of LEAF						0
Balance, end of period	29		25	29		25
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	0		0	0		0
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	29		25	29		25
Balance, end of period	29		25	29		25
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	43			43			45
Balance, end of period	$ 43			$ 43			$ 45

[1] Receivables are presented gross of an allowance for credit losses of $33.9 million and $656,000 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.