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Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
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, 2017 and 2016 marketable securities consist of the following ($ in thousands):

 
December 31, 2017
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
Carrying
Value
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
Investment-grade unsecured bonds
$
4,365

 
$
(40
)
 
$
4,325

Investment funds - debt securities
27,914

 
(29
)
 
27,885

Investment funds - U.S. treasuries
10,999

 
(55
)
 
10,944

Common stock and stock funds
34,329

 
2,973

 
37,302

Held to maturity:
 

 
 

 
 

Mortgage backed securities
109,548

 
—

 
109,548

Total - Marketable securities
$
187,155

 
$
2,849

 
$
190,004


 
December 31, 2016
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
Carrying
Value
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
Investment funds - debt securities
$
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
Status of cash dividends distributed
The status of cash dividends distributed for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 related to common stock and Series H preferred stock are classified for tax purposes as follows:
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
Ordinary income
84.04
%
 
86.68
%
 
99.28
%
Capital gain
13.20
%
 
7.11
%
 
0.72
%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain
2.76
%
 
6.21
%
 
—
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%

 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Series H Preferred stock
 
 
 
 
 
Ordinary income
—
%
 
86.68
%
 
99.28
%
Capital gains
—
%
 
7.11
%
 
0.72
%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain
—
%
 
6.21
%
 
—
%
 
—
%
 
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, 2016
$
(32,963
)
 
$
865

 
$
(32,098
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification
24,634

 
3,176

 
27,810

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
(12,312
)
 
(1,846
)
 
(14,158
)
Other comprehensive income
12,322

 
1,330

 
13,652

Balance at December 31, 2017
$
(20,641
)
 
$
2,195

 
$
(18,446
)
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, 2017, 2016, and 2015 is as follows:

 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Balance at January 1,
$
44,684

 
$
45,452

 
$
23,256

Reclassifications due to change in redemption value and other
65

 
(768
)
 
22,196

Redemptions
(5,543
)
 
—

 
—

Balance at December 31,
$
39,206

 
$
44,684

 
$
45,452
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, 2016
$
(30,161
)
 
$
813

 
$
(29,348
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification
25,477

 
3,284

 
28,761

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
(12,733
)
 
(1,909
)
 
(14,642
)
Other comprehensive income
12,744

 
1,375

 
14,119

Balance at December 31, 2017
$
(17,417
)
 
$
2,188

 
$
(15,229
)