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Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets
The depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets is as follows:
Computer software and equipment
3 - 5 years
Interior apartment home improvements
5 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
5 - 10 years
Land improvements and certain exterior components of real property
10 years
Real estate structures
30 years
Components of Marketable Securities
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015 marketable securities consist of the following ($ in thousands):

 
December 31, 2016
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
Carrying
Value
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
Investment-grade unsecured bonds
$
19,604

 
$
(73
)
 
$
19,531

Investment funds - U.S. treasuries
10,022

 
(22
)
 
10,000

Common stock and stock funds
13,696

 
1,569

 
15,265

Held to maturity:
 

 
 

 
 

Mortgage backed securities
94,393

 
—

 
94,393

Total - Marketable securities
$
137,715

 
$
1,474

 
$
139,189


 
December 31, 2015
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
Carrying
Value
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
Investment-grade unsecured bonds
$
11,618

 
$
68

 
$
11,686

Investment funds - U.S. treasuries
3,675

 
(9
)
 
3,666

Common stock and stock funds
34,655

 
7,091

 
41,746

Held to maturity:
 

 
 

 
 

Mortgage backed securities
80,387

 
—

 
80,387

Total - Marketable securities
$
130,335

 
$
7,150

 
$
137,485
Status of cash dividends distributed
The status of cash dividends distributed for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 related to common stock, Series G and Series H preferred stock are classified for tax purposes as follows:
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
Ordinary income
86.68
%
 
99.28
%
 
70.03
%
Capital gain
7.11
%
 
0.72
%
 
21.95
%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain
6.21
%
 
—
%
 
8.02
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%

 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Series G and H Preferred stock
 
 
 
 
 
Ordinary income
86.68
%
 
99.28
%
 
70.03
%
Capital gains
7.11
%
 
0.72
%
 
21.95
%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain
6.21
%
 
—
%
 
8.02
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net by Component
Essex Property Trust, Inc. ($ in thousands)
 
Change in fair
value and
amortization
of swap settlements
 
Unrealized
gains on
available for sale
securities
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2015
$
(48,366
)
 
$
6,355

 
$
(42,011
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification
25,371

 
(801
)
 
24,570

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
(9,968
)
 
(4,689
)
 
(14,657
)
Other comprehensive income
15,403

 
(5,490
)
 
9,913

Balance at December 31, 2016
$
(32,963
)
 
$
865

 
$
(32,098
)
Changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests
The changes in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 is as follows:

 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Balance at January 1,
$
45,452

 
$
23,256

 
$
—

Reclassifications due to change in redemption value and other
(768
)
 
22,196

 
18,505

Redemptions
—

 
—

 
—

Additions
—

 
—

 
4,751

Balance at December 31,
$
44,684

 
$
45,452

 
$
23,256
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member]  
Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net by Component
Essex Portfolio, L.P. ($ in thousands)
 
Change in fair
value and
amortization
of swap settlements
 
Unrealized
gains on
available for sale
securities
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2015
$
(46,087
)
 
$
6,489

 
$
(39,598
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification
26,234

 
(828
)
 
25,406

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
(10,308
)
 
(4,848
)
 
(15,156
)
Other comprehensive income
15,926

 
(5,676
)
 
10,250

Balance at December 31, 2016
$
(30,161
)
 
$
813

 
$
(29,348
)