Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Rental properties:
Land and land improvements	$ 2,559,743	$ 2,522,842
Buildings and improvements	10,116,563	9,808,627
Total Rental Properties	12,676,306	12,331,469
Less accumulated depreciation	(2,311,546)	(1,949,892)
Net Real Estate	10,364,760	10,381,577
Real estate under development	190,505	242,326
Co-investments	1,161,275	1,036,047
Real estate held for sale, net	101,957	26,879
Total Real Estate	11,818,497	11,686,829
Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted	64,921	29,683
Cash and cash equivalents-restricted	105,381	93,372
Marketable securities	139,189	137,485
Notes and other receivables	40,970	19,285
Prepaid expenses and other assets	48,450	41,730
Total assets	12,217,408	12,008,384
Liabilities:
Unsecured debt, net	3,246,779	3,088,680
Mortgage notes payable, net	2,191,481	2,215,077
Lines of credit	125,000	15,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	138,226	131,415
Construction payable	35,909	40,953
Dividends payable	110,170	100,266
Other liabilities	32,922	34,518
Total liabilities	5,880,487	5,625,909
Temporary Equity
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	44,684	45,452
Equity:
Common stock; $.0001 par value, 670,000,000 and 656,020,000 shares authorized, respectively; 65,527,993 and 65,379,359 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	6	6
Cumulative redeemable 7.125% Series H preferred stock at liquidation value	0	73,750
Additional paid-in capital	7,029,679	7,003,317
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(805,409)	(797,329)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(32,098)	(42,011)
Total stockholders' equity	6,192,178	6,237,733
Noncontrolling interest	100,059	99,290
Total equity	6,292,237	6,337,023
Total liabilities and equity/capital	12,217,408	12,008,384
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member]
Rental properties:
Land and land improvements	2,559,743	2,522,842
Buildings and improvements	10,116,563	9,808,627
Total Rental Properties	12,676,306	12,331,469
Less accumulated depreciation	(2,311,546)	(1,949,892)
Net Real Estate	10,364,760	10,381,577
Real estate under development	190,505	242,326
Co-investments	1,161,275	1,036,047
Real estate held for sale, net	101,957	26,879
Total Real Estate	11,818,497	11,686,829
Cash and cash equivalents-unrestricted	64,921	29,683
Cash and cash equivalents-restricted	105,381	93,372
Marketable securities	139,189	137,485
Notes and other receivables	40,970	19,285
Prepaid expenses and other assets	48,450	41,730
Total assets	12,217,408	12,008,384
Liabilities:
Unsecured debt, net	3,246,779	3,088,680
Mortgage notes payable, net	2,191,481	2,215,077
Lines of credit	125,000	15,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	138,226	131,415
Construction payable	35,909	40,953
Distributions payable	110,170	100,266
Other liabilities	32,922	34,518
Total liabilities	5,880,487	5,625,909
Temporary Equity
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	44,684	45,452
Equity:
Common equity (2,237,290 and 2,214,545 units issued and outstanding, respectively)	49,436	47,235
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(29,348)	(39,598)
Total partners' capital	6,244,364	6,287,381
Noncontrolling interest	47,873	49,642
Total Capital	6,292,237	6,337,023
Total liabilities and equity/capital	12,217,408	12,008,384
General Partner [Member] | Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member]
Equity:
General Partners' Capital Account	6,224,276	6,279,744
General Partner [Member] | Common Equity [Member] | Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member]
Equity:
General Partners' Capital Account	6,224,276	6,208,535
Total Capital	6,224,276	6,208,535
General Partner [Member] | Preferred Equity [Member] | Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member]
Equity:
General Partners' Capital Account	0	71,209
Total Capital	$ 0	$ 71,209