Reportable Segments - NOI for Each Segment from Our Rental Real Estate Specific to Continuing Operations (Parenthetical) (Details) - Property	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Disclosure Of Entitys Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Units in same store properties	74,843	74,843	74,264	74,264

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