Name:	eqr_PropertiesContractedToBeDisposed
Namespace Prefix:	eqr_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The amount of the fixed and determinable portion of an unrecorded sales commitment for the disposition of a rental property, land parcel or other property subsequent to the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	eqr_SalesPriceForCommitmentsToDispose
Namespace Prefix:	eqr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Total number of rental units to be disposed of subsequent to the balance sheet date per separate agreements entered into prior to the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	eqr_UnitsContractedToBeDisposed
Namespace Prefix:	eqr_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The net book value of the asset(s) sold in connection with the sale of the property to another party and lease back to the seller.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/otherTransitionRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
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