Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Due from related parties	$ 11.1	$ 41.2
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized	670,000,000	670,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	65,890,322	66,054,399
Common stock, shares outstanding	65,890,322	66,054,399
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member]
Due from related parties	$ 11.1	$ 41.2
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member] | General Partner [Member]
Common stock, shares issued	65,890,322	66,054,399
Common stock, shares outstanding	65,890,322	66,054,399
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member] | Limited Partner [Member]
Common stock, shares issued	2,305,389	2,268,114
Common stock, shares outstanding	2,305,389	2,268,114