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Summary of Critical and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
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 unit improvements
5 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, 2013 and 2012 marketable securities consist of the following ($ in thousands):

 
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
    
Gross
    
 
 
Amortized
  
Unrealized
  
Carrying
 
 
 
Cost
  
Gain (Loss)
  
Value
 
Available for sale:
         
  Investment-grade unsecured bonds
 
$
15,446
  
$
509
  
$
15,955
 
  Investment funds - US treasuries
  
3,675
   
3
   
3,678
 
  Common stock
  
13,104
   
(1,304
)
  
11,800
 
Held to maturity:
            
  Mortgage backed securities
  
58,651
   
-
   
58,651
 
Total
 
$
90,876
  
$
(792
)
 
$
90,084
 

 
 
December 31, 2012
 
 
    
Gross
    
 
 
Amortized
  
Unrealized
  
Carrying
 
 
 
Cost
  
Gain
  
Value
 
Available for sale:
         
  Investment-grade unsecured bonds
 
$
15,475
  
$
826
  
$
16,301
 
  Investment funds - US treasuries
  
3,788
   
1
   
3,789
 
  Common stock
  
18,917
   
1,704
   
20,621
 
Held to maturity:
            
  Mortgage backed securities
  
52,002
   
-
   
52,002
 
Total
 
$
90,182
  
$
2,531
  
$
92,713
 
Status of cash dividends distributed
The status of cash dividends distributed for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 related to common stock, Series F, Series G, and Series H preferred stock are classified for tax purposes as follows:
 
 
 
2013
  
2012
  
2011
 
Common Stock
         
Ordinary income
  
77.34
%
  
70.58
%
  
63.68
%
Capital gain
  
17.64
%
  
8.75
%
  
11.16
%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain
  
5.02
%
  
7.97
%
  
0.74
%
Return of capital
  
0.00
%
  
12.70
%
  
24.42
%
 
  
100.00
%
  
100.00
%
  
100.00
%

 
 
2013
  
2012
  
2011
 
Series F, G, and H Preferred stock
         
Ordinary income
  
77.34
%
  
80.85
%
  
100.00
%
Capital gains
  
17.64
%
  
10.02
%
  
0.00
%
Unrecaptured section 1250 capital gain
  
5.02
%
  
9.13
%
  
0.00
%
 
  
100.00
%
  
100.00
%
  
100.00
%
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net by Component
Essex Property Trust, Inc.

 
    
Unrealized
    
 
   
gains/(losses) on
    
 
 
Change in fair
 value and amortization
  
available for sale
    
 
 
of derivatives
  
securities
  
Total
 
Balance at December 31, 2012, net of noncontrolling interest
 
$
(71,658
)
 
$
2,397
  
$
(69,261
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification
  
3,468
   
(1,472
)
  
1,996
 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
  
8,466
   
(1,673
)
  
6,793
 
Net other comprehensive income (loss)
  
11,934
   
(3,145
)
  
8,789
 
Balance at December 31, 2013, net of noncontrolling interest
 
$
(59,724
)
 
$
(748
)
 
$
(60,472
)
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.

 
    
Unrealized
    
 
   
gains/(losses) on
    
 
 
Change in fair
 value and amortization
  
available for sale
    
 
 
of derivatives
  
securities
  
Total
 
Balance at December 31, 2012
 
$
(70,762
)
 
$
2,531
  
$
(68,231
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification
  
4,148
   
(1,556
)
  
2,592
 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other  comprehensive loss
  
8,466
   
(1,767
)
  
6,699
 
Net other comprehensive income (loss)
  
12,614
   
(3,323
)
  
9,291
 
Balance at December 31, 2013
 
$
(58,148
)
 
$
(792
)
 
$
(58,940
)