Consolidated Statements of Capital (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Essex Portfolio, L.P. \| Preferred Equity [Member]
Distributions declared (in dollars per share)	$ 7.80	$ 7.44	$ 7.00

Aggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of preferred stock outstanding.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareDeclared
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration