Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical - REIT) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	15,000,000
Series E preferred stock
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, dividend rate	6.625%	6.625%
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.
Receivables:
Tenant receivables allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 2,011	$ 1,910
Other receivables allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 838	$ 838
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	15,000,000	15,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	350,000,000	350,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	171,088,778	170,792,645
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	171,088,778	170,792,645
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. | Series D preferred stock
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Preferred stock, dividend rate	7.375%	7.375%
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	1,815,000	1,815,000
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. | Series E preferred stock
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY/CAPITAL
Preferred stock, dividend rate	6.625%	6.625%
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	690,000	690,000