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Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Principles of consolidation [Abstract]        
Noncontrolling interest in Operating Partnership (in hundredths)   5.50% 6.20%  
Number of DownREIT limited partnerships the company consolidates   19    
Number of communities within the DownREIT partnership   12    
Assets related to variable interest entities, net intercompany eliminations   $ 201,100,000 $ 199,800,000  
Liabilities related to variable interest entities, net of intercompany eliminations   178,600,000 171,500,000  
Redemption rights of limited partners by issuance of common stock for partnership unit, conversion basis   one share per unit basis    
Total DownREIT units outstanding (in units)   1,039,431 1,063,848  
Redemption value of the variable interest entities   152,400,000 149,500,000  
Real estate rental properties [Abstract]        
Threshold useful life of assets for capitalization (in years)   1 year    
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract]        
Expected lease term of acquired tenant (in months)   20 months    
Schedule Of Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]        
Promote income 2,300,000      
Revenues and gains on sale of real estate [Abstract]        
Lease terms, minimum (in months)   6 months    
Lease terms, maximum (in months)   12 months    
No rent time period, minimum (in months)   1 month    
No rent time period, maximum (in months)   2 months    
Cash equivalents and restricted cash [Abstract]        
Original maturities of highly liquid investments to be classified as cash equivalents, maximum (in months)   3 months    
Marketable securities [Abstract]        
Maturity date of investments in mortgage backed securities, first   November 2019 November 2019  
Maturity date of investments in mortgage backed securities, final   September 2020 September 2020  
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities   61,700,000 33,000,000 102,000,000
Gain from sales of available-for-sale securities   800,000 5,000,000 12,450,000
Capitalization [Abstract]        
Capitalized internal costs related to development and redevelopment projects   4,400,000 4,300,000 4,000,000
Capitalized salaries   2,400,000 2,200,000 2,100,000
Fair value of financial instruments [Abstract]        
Fixed rate debt carrying amount   2,130,000,000 1,770,000,000  
Fixed rate debt fair value   2,240,000 1,880,000  
Variable rate debt, carrying amount   692,900,000 593,700,000  
Variable rate debt fair value   671,700,000 572,300,000  
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]        
Total Amortized Cost   90,182,000 72,203,000  
Total Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss)   2,531,000 2,072,000  
Total Fair Value   92,713,000 74,275,000  
Interest income   10,715,000 10,501,000 15,350,000
Co investment promote fee   2,299,000 0 0
Gains on sales of marketable securities   819,000 4,956,000 12,491,000
Tax benefit - Taxable REIT Subsidiary   0 1,682,000 0
Total interest and other income   13,833,000 17,139,000 27,841,000
Investment-grade unsecured bonds [Member]
       
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]        
Amortized Cost   5,143,000 3,615,000  
Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss)   98,000 399,000  
Fair Value   5,241,000 4,014,000  
Investment funds-US treasuries [Member]
       
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]        
Amortized Cost   14,120,000 11,783,000  
Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss)   729,000 121,000  
Fair Value   14,849,000 11,904,000  
Common Stock [Member]
       
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]        
Amortized Cost   18,917,000 10,067,000  
Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss)   1,704,000 1,552,000  
Fair Value   20,621,000 11,619,000  
Mortgage backed securities [Member]
       
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]        
Amortized Cost   52,002,000 46,738,000  
Gross Unrealized Gain   0 0  
Carrying Value   52,002,000 46,738,000  
Common Stock [Member]
       
Status of cash dividends distributed [Abstract]        
Ordinary income (in hundredths)   70.58% 63.68% 82.46%
Capital gains (in hundredths)   8.75% 11.16% 5.61%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain (in hundredths)   7.97% 0.74% 0.00%
Return of capital (in hundredths)   12.70% 24.42% 11.93%
Total cash dividends distributed (in hundredths)   100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
Series F, G and H Preferred Stock [Member]
       
Status of cash dividends distributed [Abstract]        
Ordinary income (in hundredths)   80.85% 100.00% 93.63%
Capital gains (in hundredths)   10.02% 0.00% 6.37%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain (in hundredths)   9.13% 0.00% 0.00%
Total cash dividends distributed (in hundredths)   100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
Essex Skyline at MacArthur Place [Member]
       
Schedule Of Equity And Cost Method Investments [Line Items]        
Promote income   2,300,000    
Equity investment, contribution by Company $ 85,000,000      
Computer Software and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
       
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract]        
Depreciable life, average (in years)   3 years    
Computer Software and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
       
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract]        
Depreciable life, average (in years)   5 years    
Interior Unit Improvements [Member]
       
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract]        
Depreciable life, average (in years)   5 years    
Land Improvements and Certain Exterior Components of Real Property [Member]
       
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract]        
Depreciable life, average (in years)   10 years    
Real Estate Structures [Member]
       
Depreciable life of various categories of fixed assets [Abstract]        
Depreciable life, average (in years)   30 years