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Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
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
Schedule of restricted cash reconciliation
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows ($ in thousands):
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Cash and cash equivalents - unrestricted
$
134,465

 
$
44,620

 
$
64,921

Cash and cash equivalents - restricted
16,930

 
16,506

 
105,381

Total unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows
$
151,395

 
$
61,126

 
$
170,302
Schedule of cash and cash equivalents reconciliation
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows ($ in thousands):
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Cash and cash equivalents - unrestricted
$
134,465

 
$
44,620

 
$
64,921

Cash and cash equivalents - restricted
16,930

 
16,506

 
105,381

Total unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows
$
151,395

 
$
61,126

 
$
170,302
Components of marketable securities
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 marketable securities consist of the following ($ in thousands):

 
December 31, 2018
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Loss
 
Carrying
Value
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
Investment funds - debt securities
$
31,934

 
$
(568
)
 
$
31,366

Investment funds - U.S. treasuries
8,983

 
(31
)
 
8,952

Common stock and stock funds
39,731

 
(1,671
)
 
38,060

 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 Available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
Investment-grade unsecured bonds
4,125

 
(145
)
 
3,980

Held to maturity:
 

 
 

 
 

Mortgage backed securities
127,187

 
—

 
127,187

Total - Marketable securities
$
211,960

 
$
(2,415
)
 
$
209,545


 
December 31, 2017
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
Carrying
Value
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
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

 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 Available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
Investment-grade unsecured bonds
4,365

 
(40
)
 
4,325

Held to maturity:
 

 
 

 
 

Mortgage backed securities
109,548

 
—

 
109,548

Total - Marketable securities
$
187,155

 
$
2,849

 
$
190,004
Status of cash dividends distributed
The status of cash dividends distributed for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 related to common stock and Series H preferred stock are classified for tax purposes as follows:
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
Ordinary income
79.72
%
 
84.04
%
 
86.68
%
Capital gain
15.35
%
 
13.20
%
 
7.11
%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain
4.93
%
 
2.76
%
 
6.21
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%

 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Series H Preferred stock
 
 
 
 
 
Ordinary income
—
%
 
—
%
 
86.68
%
Capital gains
—
%
 
—
%
 
7.11
%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain
—
%
 
—
%
 
6.21
%
 
—
%
 
—
%
 
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
gain (loss) on
available for sale
securities
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2017
$
(20,641
)
 
$
2,195

 
$
(18,446
)
Cumulative effect upon adoption of ASU No. 2016-01
—

 
(2,234
)
 
(2,234
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification
15,343

 
(114
)
 
15,229

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
(7,779
)
 
13

 
(7,766
)
Other comprehensive income
7,564

 
(2,335
)
 
5,229

Balance at December 31, 2018
$
(13,077
)
 
$
(140
)
 
$
(13,217
)
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, 2018, 2017, and 2016 is as follows:

 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Balance at January 1,
$
39,206

 
$
44,684

 
$
45,452

Reclassifications due to change in redemption value and other
1,164

 
65

 
(768
)
Redemptions
(4,895
)
 
(5,543
)
 
—

Balance at December 31,
$
35,475

 
$
39,206

 
$
44,684
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
gain (loss) on
available for sale
securities
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2017
$
(17,417
)
 
$
2,188

 
$
(15,229
)
Cumulative effect upon adoption of ASU No. 2016-01
—

 
(2,228
)
 
(2,228
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification
15,871

 
(118
)
 
15,753

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
(8,047
)
 
13

 
(8,034
)
Other comprehensive income
7,824

 
(2,333
)
 
5,491

Balance at December 31, 2018
$
(9,593
)
 
$
(145
)
 
$
(9,738
)