Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Rental properties:
Land and land improvements	$ 2,522,842	$ 2,424,930
Buildings and improvements	9,808,627	8,819,751
Total Rental Properties	12,331,469	11,244,681
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,949,892)	(1,564,806)
Net Real Estate	10,381,577	9,679,875
Real estate under development	242,326	429,096
Co-investments	1,036,047	1,042,423
Real estate held for sale, net	26,879	56,300
Total Real Estate	11,686,829	11,207,694
Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted	29,683	25,610
Cash and cash equivalents-restricted	93,372	70,139
Marketable securities and other investments	137,485	117,240
Notes and other receivables	19,285	24,923
Acquired in-place lease value, net	2,857	47,748
Prepaid expenses and other assets	35,580	33,378
Total assets	12,005,091	11,526,732
Liabilities:
Unsecured debt, net	3,088,680	2,603,548
Mortgage notes payable, net	2,215,077	2,234,317
Lines of credit, net	11,707	242,824
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	131,415	135,162
Construction payable	40,953	30,892
Dividends payable	100,266	88,221
Other liabilities	34,518	32,444
Total liabilities	$ 5,622,616	$ 5,367,408
Temporary Equity
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	$ 45,452	$ 23,256
Equity:
Common stock; $.0001 par value, 656,020,000 shares authorized; 65,379,359 and 63,682,646 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	6	6
Cumulative redeemable 7.125% Series H preferred stock at liquidation value	73,750	73,750
Additional paid-in capital	7,003,317	6,651,165
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(797,329)	(650,797)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(42,011)	(51,452)
Total stockholders' equity	6,237,733	6,022,672
Noncontrolling interest	99,290	113,396
Total equity	6,337,023	6,136,068
Total liabilities and equity/capital	12,005,091	11,526,732
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member]
Rental properties:
Land and land improvements	2,522,842	2,424,930
Buildings and improvements	9,808,627	8,819,751
Total Rental Properties	12,331,469	11,244,681
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,949,892)	(1,564,806)
Net Real Estate	10,381,577	9,679,875
Real estate under development	242,326	429,096
Co-investments	1,036,047	1,042,423
Real estate held for sale, net	26,879	56,300
Total Real Estate	11,686,829	11,207,694
Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted	29,683	25,610
Cash and cash equivalents-restricted	93,372	70,139
Marketable securities and other investments	137,485	117,240
Notes and other receivables	19,285	24,923
Acquired in-place lease value, net	2,857	47,748
Prepaid expenses and other assets	35,580	33,378
Total assets	12,005,091	11,526,732
Liabilities:
Unsecured debt, net	3,088,680	2,603,548
Mortgage notes payable, net	2,215,077	2,234,317
Lines of credit, net	11,707	242,824
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	131,415	135,162
Construction payable	40,953	30,892
Distributions payable	100,266	88,221
Other liabilities	34,518	32,444
Total liabilities	$ 5,622,616	$ 5,367,408
Temporary Equity
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	$ 45,452	$ 23,256
Equity:
Common equity (2,214,545 and 2,168,158 units issued and outstanding, respectively)	47,235	48,665
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(39,598)	(49,356)
Partners' Capital	6,287,381	6,073,433
Noncontrolling interest	49,642	62,635
Total Capital	6,337,023	6,136,068
Total liabilities and equity/capital	12,005,091	11,526,732
General Partner [Member] | Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member]
Equity:
General Partners' Capital Account	6,279,744	6,074,124
General Partner [Member] | Common Equity [Member] | Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member]
Equity:
General Partners' Capital Account	6,208,535	6,002,915
Total Capital	6,208,535	6,002,915
General Partner [Member] | Preferred Equity [Member] | Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member]
Equity:
General Partners' Capital Account	71,209	71,209
Total Capital	$ 71,209	$ 71,209