Reportable Segments - NOI for Each Segment from Our Rental Real Estate Specific to Continuing Operations (Parenthetical) (Details) - Property	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Disclosure Of Entitys Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Units in same store properties	72,049	72,049	70,285	70,285

Total number of units associated with properties acquired or completed and stabilized two or more fiscal years ago, less properties subsequently sold.

No definition available.

Name:	eqr_NumberOfUnitsInSameStoreProperties
Namespace Prefix:	eqr_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration