CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS OF ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
REVENUES
Rental income	$ 2,470,689	$ 2,422,233	$ 2,736,578
Fee and asset management	717	3,567	8,387
Total revenues	2,471,406	2,425,800	2,744,965
EXPENSES
Property and maintenance	405,281	406,823	479,160
Real estate taxes and insurance	335,495	317,387	339,802
Property management	85,493	82,015	86,206
General and administrative	52,224	57,840	64,664
Depreciation	743,749	705,649	765,895
Impairment	1,693	0	0
Total expenses	1,623,935	1,569,714	1,735,727
Operating income	847,471	856,086	1,009,238
Interest and other income	6,136	65,773	7,372
Other expenses	(5,186)	(10,368)	(2,942)
Interest:
Expense incurred, net	(383,890)	(482,246)	(444,487)
Amortization of deferred financing costs	(8,526)	(12,633)	(10,801)
Income before income and other taxes, income (loss) from investments in unconsolidated entities, net gain (loss) on sales of real estate properties and land parcels and discontinued operations	456,005	416,612	558,380
Income and other tax (expense) benefit	(478)	(1,613)	(917)
Income (loss) from investments in unconsolidated entities	(3,370)	4,801	15,025
Net gain (loss) on sales of real estate properties	157,057	4,044,055	335,134
Net gain (loss) on sales of land parcels	19,167	15,731	(1)
Income from continuing operations	628,381	4,479,586	907,621
Discontinued operations, net	0	518	397
Net income	628,381	4,480,104	908,018
Partially Owned Properties	(2,323)	(16,430)	(3,657)
Net income attributable to controlling interests	603,454	4,292,163	870,120
ALLOCATION OF NET INCOME:
Premium on redemption of Preference Units	$ 0	$ 0	$ 3,486
Earnings per Unit – basic:
Income from continuing operations available to Common Shares	$ 1.64	$ 11.75	$ 2.37
Net income available to Common Shares	1.64	11.75	2.37
Earnings per Unit – diluted:
Income from continuing operations available to Common Shares	1.63	11.68	2.36
Net income available to Common Shares	$ 1.63	$ 11.68	$ 2.36
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding	382,678	381,992	380,620
ERPOP [Member]
REVENUES
Rental income	$ 2,470,689	$ 2,422,233	$ 2,736,578
Fee and asset management	717	3,567	8,387
Total revenues	2,471,406	2,425,800	2,744,965
EXPENSES
Property and maintenance	405,281	406,823	479,160
Real estate taxes and insurance	335,495	317,387	339,802
Property management	85,493	82,015	86,206
General and administrative	52,224	57,840	64,664
Depreciation	743,749	705,649	765,895
Impairment	1,693	0	0
Total expenses	1,623,935	1,569,714	1,735,727
Operating income	847,471	856,086	1,009,238
Interest and other income	6,136	65,773	7,372
Other expenses	(5,186)	(10,368)	(2,942)
Interest:
Expense incurred, net	(383,890)	(482,246)	(444,487)
Amortization of deferred financing costs	(8,526)	(12,633)	(10,801)
Income before income and other taxes, income (loss) from investments in unconsolidated entities, net gain (loss) on sales of real estate properties and land parcels and discontinued operations	456,005	416,612	558,380
Income and other tax (expense) benefit	(478)	(1,613)	(917)
Income (loss) from investments in unconsolidated entities	(3,370)	4,801	15,025
Net gain (loss) on sales of real estate properties	157,057	4,044,055	335,134
Net gain (loss) on sales of land parcels	19,167	15,731	(1)
Income from continuing operations	628,381	4,479,586	907,621
Discontinued operations, net	0	518	397
Net income	628,381	4,480,104	908,018
Partially Owned Properties	(2,323)	(16,430)	(3,657)
Net income attributable to controlling interests	626,058	4,463,674	904,361
ALLOCATION OF NET INCOME:
Preference Units	3,091	3,091	3,357
Premium on redemption of Preference Units	0	0	3,486
General Partner	600,363	4,289,072	863,277
Limited Partners	22,604	171,511	34,241
Net income available to Units	$ 622,967	$ 4,460,583	$ 897,518
Earnings per Unit – basic:
Income from continuing operations available to Common Shares	$ 1.64	$ 11.75	$ 2.37
Net income available to Common Shares	$ 1.64	$ 11.75	$ 2.37
Weighted average Units outstanding	379,869	378,829	377,074
Earnings per Unit – diluted:
Income from continuing operations available to Common Shares	$ 1.63	$ 11.68	$ 2.36
Net income available to Common Shares	$ 1.63	$ 11.68	$ 2.36
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding	382,678	381,992	380,620
Distributions declared per Unit outstanding	$ 2.015	$ 13.015	$ 2.21