Equity LifeStyle Properties (ELS) 10-Q 31 Oct 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 30, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'ELS	'
Entity Registrant Name	'EQUITY LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000895417	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	83,909,012

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investment in real estate:	'	'
Land	$1,068,236	$1,025,246
Land improvements	2,706,662	2,667,213
Buildings and other depreciable property	551,522	535,647
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost, Total	4,326,420	4,228,106
Accumulated depreciation	-1,143,800	-1,058,540
Net investment in real estate	3,182,620	3,169,566
Cash	109,144	58,427
Notes receivable, net	38,051	42,990
Investment in joint ventures	15,414	11,583
Deferred financing costs, net	22,676	19,873
Deferred commission expense	27,885	25,251
Escrow deposits, goodwill, and other assets, net	55,358	64,619
Total Assets	3,451,148	3,392,309
Liabilities:	'	'
Mortgage notes payable	2,005,942	1,992,368
Term loan	200,000	200,000
Unsecured lines of credit	0	0
Accrued payroll and other operating expenses	85,879	65,157
Deferred revenue - upfront payments from right-to-use contracts	72,976	68,673
Deferred revenue - right-to-use annual payments	10,762	11,136
Accrued interest payable	8,865	9,416
Rents and other customer payments received in advance and security deposits	60,560	59,601
Distributions payable	29,620	22,753
Total Liabilities	2,474,604	2,429,104
Stockholders' Equity:	'	'
Preferred stock value	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value	838	834
Paid-in capital	1,028,912	1,021,365
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	256,340	264,083
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	141	-927
Total Stockholders’ Equity	909,695	893,333
Non-controlling interests - Common OP Units	66,849	69,872
Total Equity	976,544	963,205
Total Liabilities and Equity	3,451,148	3,392,309
Cumulative Series C Six Point Seven Five Percent Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock [Domain]	'	'
Stockholders' Equity:	'	'
Preferred stock value	$136,144	$136,144

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	9,945,164	9,945,164
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	0	0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred Stock, Value, Issued	$0	$0
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	83,905,662	83,313,677
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	83,905,662	83,313,677
Cumulative Series C Six Point Seven Five Percent Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	54,461	54,461
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	54,458	54,458
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	54,458	54,458
Cumulative Series D Six Percent Non-Qualified Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	125	125
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	125	125
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	125	125
Cumulative Series E Eighteen Point Seven Five Percent Nonvoting Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	250	250
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	250	250
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	250	250

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Community base rental income	$106,967	$103,157	$319,514	$305,401
Rental home income	3,684	3,584	11,187	10,576
Resort base rental income	44,351	39,932	126,188	113,868
Right-to-use annual payments	11,404	12,323	33,859	35,889
Right-to-use contracts current period, gross	3,944	3,707	9,956	9,899
Right-to-use contracts, deferred, net of prior period amortization	-1,989	-1,856	-4,303	-4,446
Utility And Other Income	18,581	16,224	53,070	48,694
Gross revenues from home sales	8,717	5,415	20,455	12,328
Brokered resale revenues and ancillary services revenues, net	1,124	1,395	3,491	4,122
Interest income	1,902	2,200	6,477	6,173
Income from other investments, net	1,869	1,885	6,098	5,989
Total revenues	200,554	187,966	585,992	548,493
Expenses:	'	'	'	'
Property operating and maintenance	66,105	61,782	186,018	175,183
Rental home operating and maintenance	1,829	1,950	5,376	5,307
Real estate taxes	12,263	11,584	36,905	35,873
Sales and marketing, gross	3,018	3,842	8,118	9,536
Sales and marketing, deferred commissions, net	-757	-706	-2,022	-1,824
Property management	11,086	10,077	32,169	30,380
Depreciation on real estate and rental homes	27,831	26,460	83,234	81,793
Amortization of Intangible Assets for Continuing Operations	1,075	485	3,791	803
Cost of home sales	8,156	5,137	19,679	11,837
Home selling expenses	513	563	1,710	1,544
General and administrative	7,623	7,606	20,178	21,261
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	5,087	36,530	5,087	37,911
Rent control initiatives and other	751	521	2,063	2,377
Interest and related amortization	27,864	29,206	84,177	89,706
Total expenses	172,444	195,037	486,483	501,687
Income before equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	28,110	-7,071	99,509	46,806
Equity income from unconsolidated joint ventures	1,237	439	3,768	1,624
Gain (Loss) on Condemnation	929	0	929	0
Consolidated income from continuing operations	30,276	-6,632	104,206	48,430
Net income from discontinued operations	0	982	0	7,215
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax	0	40,586	0	41,544
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	41,568	0	48,759
Noncontrolling Interest in Net Income (Loss) Operating Partnerships, Redeemable	-2,219	-2,753	-7,929	-7,483
Net income (loss) available for Common Shares – basic	25,746	29,872	89,328	82,755
Consolidated net income	30,276	34,936	104,206	97,189
Other comprehensive loss:	'	'	'	'
Adjustment for fair market value of swap	141	361	1,068	1,233
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	30,417	35,297	105,274	98,422
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Common Shareholders	25,876	30,203	90,309	83,886
Earnings per Common Share - Basic:	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	$0.31	($0.10)	$1.07	$0.46
Income from discontinued operations	$0	$0.46	$0	$0.54
Net income available for Common Shares	$0.31	$0.36	$1.07	$1
Earnings per Common Share - Fully Diluted:	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	$0.31	($0.10)	$1.06	$0.46
Income from discontinued operations	$0	$0.46	$0	$0.53
Net income available for Common Shares	$0.31	$0.36	$1.06	$0.99
Distributions declared per Common Share outstanding	$0.33	$0.25	$0.98	$0.75
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding – basic	83,531	83,021	83,295	83,023
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding – fully diluted	91,528	91,259	91,471	91,149
Cumulative Series C Six Point Seven Five Percent Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive loss:	'	'	'	'
Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends	-2,311	-2,311	-6,949	-6,951
Non-controlling interests - Common OP Units	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive loss:	'	'	'	'
Comprehensive income (loss) allocated to non-controlling interests	($2,230)	($2,783)	($8,016)	($7,585)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes In Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Cumulative Series C Six Point Seven Five Percent Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]	Distributions in Excess of Accumulated Earnings	Non-controlling interests - Common OP Units	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$963,205,000	$834,000	$1,021,365,000	$136,144,000	($264,083,000)	$69,872,000	($927,000)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Units	0	-4,000	-4,085,000	0	0	-4,089,000	0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Stock Issued, Issuance Costs	-154,000	0	-154,000	0	0	0	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock through employee stock purchase plan	929,000	1,000	928,000	0	0	0	0
Compensation expenses related to stock options and restricted stock	4,998,000	0	4,998,000	0	0	0	0
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	-32,000	0	-32,000	0	0	0	0
Adjustment for fair market value of swap	1,068,000	0	0	0	0	0	1,068,000
Release Of Common Shares From Escrow	-1,934,000	-1,000	-1,933,000	0	0	0	0
Adjustment For Common Unitholders In Operating Partnership	0	0	-345,000	0	0	345,000	0
Net income available to Common Shares	104,206,000	0	0	6,949,000	89,328,000	7,929,000	0
Distributions	-95,742,000	0	0	-6,949,000	-81,585,000	-7,208,000	0
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$976,544,000	$838,000	$1,028,912,000	$136,144,000	($256,340,000)	$66,849,000	$141,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:	'	'
Consolidated net income	$104,206	$97,189
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Gain on sale of property, net of tax	-929	-41,544
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	5,087	37,911
Depreciation expense	83,821	83,872
Amortization of in-place leases	3,791	803
Amortization of loan costs	3,655	4,039
Debt premium amortization	-3,956	-5,597
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	-3,768	-1,624
Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures	2,869	1,251
Amortization of stock-related compensation	4,998	4,332
Revenue recognized from right-to-use contract upfront payments	-5,653	-5,453
Commission expense recognized related to right-to-use contracts	2,100	1,933
Accrued Long Term Incentive Plan Compensation	1,425	1,431
Provision for uncollectible rents receivable	-219	380
Changes in assets and liabilities:	'	'
Notes receivable activity, net	-1,345	48
Deferred commission expense	-4,734	-3,757
Escrow deposits and other assets	13,362	-1,299
Accrued payroll and other operating expenses, net	15,436	14,759
Deferred revenue - upfront payments from right-to-use contracts	9,956	9,899
Deferred revenue - right-to-use annual payments	-374	367
Rents received in advance and security deposits	-1,386	-1,204
Net cash provided by operating activities	228,342	197,736
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:	'	'
Real estate acquisition	-54,645	-116,359
Proceeds from Sale of Other Real Estate	2,102	157,975
Payments for (Proceeds from) Delayed Tax Exempt Exchange	10,576	-13,755
Cash Received from Joint Venture	411	0
Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture	-3,489	-1,149
Proceeds from Collection of Notes Receivable	12,524	9,270
Issuance of Notes Receivable	-7,266	-7,792
Capital improvements	-41,645	-48,571
Net cash used in investing activities	-81,432	-20,381
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:	'	'
Net proceeds from stock options and employee stock purchase plan	896	774
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock	-75,077	-41,712
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest	-6,772	-3,728
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Preferred Stock and Preference Stock	-6,949	-6,951
Repayments of Lines of Credit	0	-20,000
Proceeds from Lines of Credit	0	20,000
Principal payments and mortgage debt payoff	-165,578	-415,977
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	169,000	347,060
Debt issuance costs	-11,559	-41,919
Equity issuance costs	-154	-502
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-96,193	-162,955
Cash, Period Increase (Decrease)	50,717	14,400
Cash	109,144	51,526
Supplemental Information:	'	'
Cash paid during the period for interest	90,376	92,904
Non-cash activities (increase/(decrease)):	'	'
Capital improvements - used homes acquired by repossessions	1,026	1,724
Net repayments of notes receivable - used homes acquired by repossessions	1,026	1,724
Building and other depreciable property - reclassification of rental homes	16,881	10,011
Escrow deposits and other assets - reclassification of rental homes	-16,881	-10,011
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Fixed Assets Acquired	73,597	126,186
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Deferred Finance Costs	180	0
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Other Liabilities Assumed	2,345	506
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Payables Assumed	1,848	446
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Other Assets Acquired	-371	-811
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Debt Assumed	14,564	0
Noncash, Issuance of Common OP Units	0	9,686
Real Estate Owned, Transfer from Real Estate Owned	86,309	113,050
Transfer of Loans Receivable	0	6,507
Disposition of Other Assets	$0	($2,166)

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	We follow accounting standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, commonly referred to as the “FASB.” The FASB sets GAAP, which we follow to ensure that we consistently report our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. References to GAAP issued by the FASB in these footnotes are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”).
	(a)	Basis of Consolidation
	The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the consolidation of our accounts. We do not have controlling interests in any of our joint ventures (“JV”), which are therefore treated under the equity method of accounting and not consolidated in our financial statements. The holders of limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership (“Common OP Unitholders”) receive an allocation of net income that is based on their respective ownership percentage of the Operating Partnership which is shown in our Consolidated Financial Statements as Non-controlling interests-Common OP Units. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	(b)	Real Estate
	Our policy is to estimate useful lives associated with our real estate assets and to depreciate the assets based on our estimates. We review useful lives periodically to ensure that these estimates accurately reflect the economic use of the assets. In January 2014, we completed a review of the useful lives and salvage values of our manufactured homes. During the first quarter of 2014, we prospectively changed the depreciable life of our new manufactured homes to 25 years straight-lined with no residual value and our used manufactured homes to 10-25 years straight-lined with no residual value. This change in estimate did not have a material impact in our financial statements.
	(c)	Identified Intangibles and Goodwill
	We record acquired intangible assets at their estimated fair value separate and apart from goodwill. We amortize identified intangible assets and liabilities that are determined to have finite lives over the period the assets and liabilities are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the future cash flows of the property or business acquired. In accordance with the Codification Sub-Topic “Impairment or Disposal of Long Lived Assets” (“FASB ASC 360-10-35”), intangible assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an intangible asset is not recoverable and its carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value.
	The excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net of the amounts assigned to assets acquired (including identified intangible assets) and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. In accordance with Codification Topic “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“FASB ASC 350”), goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at a level of reporting referred to as a reporting unit on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the gross carrying amounts of identified intangible assets and goodwill, a component of “Escrow deposits, goodwill and other assets, net” on our consolidated balance sheets, were approximately $12.1 million. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, this amount was comprised of approximately $4.3 million of identified intangible assets and approximately $7.8 million of goodwill. Accumulated amortization of identified intangible assets was approximately $2.1 million and $1.9 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. For each of the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, amortization expense for the identified intangible assets was approximately $0.1 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, amortization expense for the identified intangible assets was approximately $0.3 million.
	Estimated amortization of identified intangible assets for each of the next five years are as follows (amounts in thousands):
	Year ending December 31,	Amount
	2015	$	349
	2016	251
	2017	87
	2018	87
	2019	87
	(d)	Restricted Cash
	Cash as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 included approximately $5.0 million and $5.2 million, respectively, of restricted cash for the payment of capital improvements, insurance or real estate taxes.
	(e)	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Our financial instruments include notes receivable, accounts receivable, accounts payable, other accrued expenses, interest rate swaps and mortgage notes payable. We disclose the estimated fair value of our financial instruments according to a fair value hierarchy (Level 1, 2 and 3).
	Our mortgage notes payable and term loan had a fair value of approximately $2.3 billion and $2.2 billion as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, measured using quoted prices and observable inputs from similar liabilities (Level 2). At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our cash flow hedge of interest rate risk included in accrued payroll and other operating expenses was measured using quoted prices and observable inputs from similar assets and liabilities (Level 2). We consider our own credit risk as well as the credit risk of our counterparties when evaluating the fair value of our derivatives. The fair values of our notes receivable, accounts receivable, accounts payable, other accrued expenses and interest rate swaps approximate their carrying or contract values.
	(f)	Deferred Financing Costs, net
	Deferred financing costs, net include fees and costs incurred to obtain long-term financing. The costs are being amortized over the terms of the respective loans on a basis that approximates level yield. Unamortized deferred financing fees are written-off when debt is retired before the maturity date. Upon amendment of the line of credit or refinancing of mortgage debt, unamortized deferred financing fees are accounted for in accordance with Codification Sub-Topic “Modifications and Extinguishments” (“FASB ASC 470-50-40”). Accumulated amortization for such costs was $28.8 million and $25.4 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	(g)	Reclassifications
	Certain 2013 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2014 presentation. Income statement amounts for disposed Properties were reclassified in 2013 to “Discontinued operations” on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for all transactions that occurred in 2013. In addition, certain prior period disclosures in the accompanying footnotes have been revised to exclude amounts which have been reclassified to discontinued operations. These reclassifications had no material effect on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.
	(h)	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update 2014-08, “Property, Plant, and Equipment: Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity” (“ASU 2014-08”). The definition of discontinued operations has been revised to limit the criteria for the classification and presentation to disposals of components of a company that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on a company’s operations and financial results. Required expanded disclosures for disposals or disposal groups that qualify for discontinued operations are intended to provide users of financial statements with enhanced information about the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of such discontinued operations. While the threshold for a disposal or disposal group to qualify for discontinued operations has been revised, this pronouncement retains the held for sale classification and presentation concepts of previous authoritative literature. Accordingly, under this pronouncement, a disposal or disposal group may qualify for held for sale classification but not meet the threshold for discontinued operations treatment. This pronouncement allows for early adoption permitted January 1, 2014. Pursuant to its terms we have elected to early adopt this pronouncement effective January 1, 2014. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The gain on sale of property recognized during the current quarter, is presented separately as continuing operations in our Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”) which will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The core principle of the ASU is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services equal to the amount that it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. The ASU requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. ASU No. 2014-09 does not apply to lease contracts accounted for under ASC 840, Leases. ASU 2014-09 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is not permitted. Entities can transition to the standard either retrospectively or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We are in the process of assessing the impact of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements.

Earnings_Per_Common_Share

Earnings Per Common Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Common Share
	Earnings per common share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Codification Topic “Earnings Per Share” (“FASB ASC 260”) defines the calculation of basic and fully diluted earnings per share. Basic and fully diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted average shares outstanding during each period and basic earnings per share exclude any dilutive effects of options, unvested restricted shares and convertible securities. The conversion of OP Units has been excluded from the basic earnings per share calculation. The conversion of an OP Unit for a share of common stock has no material effect on earnings per common share on a fully diluted basis.
	The following table sets forth the computation of the basic and diluted earnings per common share for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands, except per share data):
		Quarters Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Numerators:
	Income (loss) from Continuing Operations:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	30,276		$	(6,632	)	$	104,206		$	48,430
	Amounts allocated to dilutive securities	(2,219		)	755			(7,929		)	(3,385		)
	Preferred Stock distributions	(2,311		)	(2,311		)	(6,949		)	(6,951		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Common Shares – basic	25,746			(8,188		)	89,328			38,094
	Amounts allocated to dilutive securities	2,219			(755		)	7,929			3,385
	Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Common Shares – fully diluted	$	27,965		$	(8,943	)	$	97,257		$	41,479
	Income from Discontinued Operations:
	Income from discontinued operations, net of amounts allocated to dilutive securities	$	—		$	38,060		$	—		$	44,661
	Net Income Available for Common Shares:
	Net income available for Common Shares – basic	$	25,746		$	29,872		$	89,328		$	82,755
	Amounts allocated to dilutive securities	2,219			2,753			7,929			7,483
	Net income available for Common Shares – fully diluted	$	27,965		$	32,625		$	97,257		$	90,238
	Denominator:
	Weighted average Common Shares outstanding – basic	83,531			83,021			83,295			83,023
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Exchange of Common OP Units for Common Shares	7,254			7,604			7,471			7,506
	Stock options and restricted shares	743			634			705			620
	Weighted average Common Shares outstanding – fully diluted	91,528			91,259			91,471			91,149
	Earnings per Common Share – Basic:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.31		$	(0.10	)	$	1.07		$	0.46
	Income from discontinued operations	—			0.46			—			0.54
	Net income available for Common Shares	$	0.31		$	0.36		$	1.07		$	1
	Earnings per Common Share – Fully Diluted:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.31		$	(0.10	)	$	1.06		$	0.46
	Income from discontinued operations	—			0.46			—			0.53
	Net income available for Common Shares	$	0.31		$	0.36		$	1.06		$	0.99

Common_Stock_and_Other_Equity_

Common Stock and Other Equity Related Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Common Stock and Other Equity Related Transactions	'
	Common Stock and Other Equity Related Transactions
	On September 30, 2014, we paid a $0.421875 per share distribution on our Depositary Shares (each representing 1/100 of a share of our Series C Preferred Stock) to stockholders of record on September 19, 2014. On June 30, 2014, we paid a $0.421875 per share distribution on our Depositary Shares (each representing 1/100 of a share of our Series C Preferred Stock) to stockholders of record on June 20, 2014. On March 31, 2014, we paid a $0.421875 per share distribution on our Depositary Shares (each representing 1/100 of a share of our Series C Preferred Stock) to stockholders of record on March 21, 2014.
	On October 10, 2014, we paid a $0.325 per share distribution to common stockholders of record on September 26, 2014. On July 11, 2014, we paid a $0.325 per share distribution to common stockholders of record on June 27, 2014. On April 11, 2014, we paid a $0.325 per share distribution to common stockholders of record on March 28, 2014.

Investment_in_Real_Estate

Investment in Real Estate	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investment in Real Estate	'
	Investment in Real Estate
	Land improvements consist primarily of improvements such as infrastructure items, such as streets, sidewalks or water mains, as well as grading and landscaping. Buildings and other depreciable property consist of buildings on the Properties such as clubhouses, laundry facilities, maintenance storage facilities, rental units and furniture, fixtures, equipment, and in-place leases.
	Acquisitions
	All acquisitions have been accounted for utilizing the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with FASB ASC 805 and, accordingly, the results of operations of acquired assets are included in the statements of operations from the dates of acquisition. Certain purchase price adjustments may be made within one year following the acquisition and applied retroactively to the date of acquisition.
	In January 2014, we completed the acquisition of two RV resorts, Blackhawk, a 490-Site RV Resort and Lakeland, a 682-Site RV Resort. On December 17, 2013, we closed on the acquisition of Neshonoc, a 284-Site RV Resort. The combined purchase price of $31.8 million was funded with available cash and the assumption of mortgage debt of approximately $18.7 million, excluding note premiums of $1.3 million.
	On March 10, 2014, we exercised a purchase option and purchased land comprising a portion of our Colony Cove Property which was part of our 2011 Hometown acquisition. The total purchase price of $35.9 million was funded with available cash. In connection with the acquisition of the land, we terminated the ground lease related to the Property. During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, we received the final distribution of 51,290 shares of our common stock from the escrow funded by the seller.
	In September 2014, we completed the acquisition of three RV resorts, Pine Acres, a 421-Site RV Resort, Echo Farms, a 237-Site RV Resort, and Mays Landing, a 168-Site RV Resort. The combined purchase price of $11.8 million was funded with available cash.
	On October 1, 2014, we completed the acquisition of Space Coast, a 270-Site RV Resort. The total purchase price of $6.1 million was funded with available cash.
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, we acquired Fiesta Key, a 324-Site RV Resort for a purchase price of approximately $24.6 million funded with available cash. We also acquired three manufactured home communities located in the Chicago metropolitan area collectively containing approximately 1,207 Sites for a stated purchase price of $102.0 million. The purchase price was funded with approximately $9.7 million of limited partnership interests in our Operating Partnership, equivalent to 240,969 OP units, and the remainder was funded with available cash.
	The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisitions for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and year ended December 31, 2013, which we determined using Level two and Level three inputs (amounts in thousands):
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014				Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Assets acquired
	Land	$	43,761			$	41,022
	Depreciable property	29,493				87,306
	Manufactured homes	769				1,155
	In-place leases	773				3,910
	Net investment in real estate	74,796				133,393
	Other Assets	1,197				1,025
	Total Assets acquired	$	75,993			$	134,418
	Liabilities assumed
	Mortgage notes payable	14,230				5,382
	Other liabilities	4,193				1,777
	Total Liabilities assumed	18,423				7,159
	Net assets acquired	$	57,570			$	127,259
	Dispositions and real estate held for disposition
	On July 11, 2014, we received payment of approximately $2.1 million from the Arizona Department of Transportation related to the value of certain property taken for state highway purposes at our Seyenna Vista property in Maricopa County, Arizona, of which $0.9 million was in excess of our basis and recognized as a gain on sale of property in the current quarter.
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, we closed on the sale of 11 manufactured home communities located in Michigan (the “Michigan Properties”) collectively containing approximately 5,344 sites for a net purchase price of approximately $165.0 million. We recognized a gain on sale of real estate assets of approximately $40.6 million in the third quarter of 2013.
	Results of operations for the Michigan Properties have been presented separately as discontinued operations for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2013 in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. The following table summarizes the components of income and expense relating to discontinued operations for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2013 (amounts in thousands):
			Quarter Ended				Nine Months Ended
			30-Sep-13				30-Sep-13
	Community base rental home income		$	1,448			$	11,565
	Rental income		328				1,948
	Utility and other income		378				1,375
	Discontinued property operating revenues		2,154				14,888
	Property operating expenses		1,116				6,039
	Income from discontinued property operations		1,038				8,849
	Income (loss) from home sales operations		2				(77		)
	Other income and expenses		37				334
	Interest and amortization		(95		)		(355		)
	Depreciation and in place lease amortization		—				(1,536		)
	Discontinued operations, net		$	982			$	7,215
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recognized approximately $1.0 million of gain on the sale of the Cascade Property during 2012 as a result of a new U.S. Federal tax law that eliminated a previously accrued built-in-gain tax liability related to such disposition.
	As of September 30, 2014, we have no properties designated as held for disposition pursuant to FASB ASC 360-10-35.

Investment_in_Joint_Ventures

Investment in Joint Ventures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investment in Joint Ventures	'
	Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
	We recorded approximately $3.8 million and $1.6 million (net of approximately $0.7 million of depreciation expense, respectively) of equity in income from unconsolidated joint ventures for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We received approximately $3.3 million and $1.3 million in distributions from such joint ventures for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Approximately $2.0 million of the distributions received exceeded our basis in our joint venture and as such were recorded as income from unconsolidated joint ventures for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
	In 2013, we entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated third party to create a new joint venture named ECHO Financing, LLC (the “ECHO JV”). We entered into the ECHO JV in order to buy and sell homes, as well as to offer financing to purchasers of homes at our Properties. Under certain circumstances, the ECHO JV may also rent homes in our communities. Each party to the venture made an initial contribution of $1.0 million in exchange for a pro rata ownership interest in the joint venture, which resulted in us owning 50% of the ECHO JV. We account for our investment in the ECHO JV using the equity method of accounting, since we do not have a controlling direct or indirect voting interest, but we can exercise significant influence with respect to its operations and major decisions.
	The following table summarizes our investment in unconsolidated joint ventures (investment amounts in thousands with the number of Properties shown parenthetically as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013):
							Investment as of				JV Income for the
											Nine Months Ended
	Investment	Location	Number of	Economic			September 30,		December 31,		September 30,		September 30,
			Sites	Interest (a)			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Meadows	Various (2,2)	1,077	50	%		$	1,999	$	1,679	$	1,703	$	856
	Lakeshore	Florida (2,2)	342	65	%		21		145		1,288		203
	Voyager	Arizona (1,1)	1,706	50	%	(b)	7,166		7,074		724		720
	Other	Various (0,0)	—	20	%	(c)	—		—		25		(188		)
	ECHO JV	Various (0,0)	—	50	%		6,228		2,685		28		33
			3,125				$	15,414	$	11,583	$	3,768	$	1,624
	_____________________
	(a)	The percentages shown approximate our economic interest as of September 30, 2014. Our legal ownership interest may differ.
	(b)	Voyager joint venture primarily consists of a 50% interest in Voyager RV Resort and 33% interest in the utility providing water to the Property.
	(c)	During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, we received payment of $0.1 million for the sale of our remaining 20% interest in the Time Shares Only joint venture.

Notes_Receivable

Notes Receivable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes Receivable	'
	Notes Receivable
	Occasionally, we purchase loans made by others to finance the sale of homes to our customers (“Chattel Loans”). The Chattel Loans receivable require monthly principal and interest payments and are collateralized by homes at certain of the Properties. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had approximately $19.6 million and $21.9 million, respectively, of these Chattel Loans included in notes receivable. As of September 30, 2014, the Chattel Loans receivable had a stated per annum average rate of approximately 7.8%, with a yield of 22.8%, and had an average term remaining of approximately 12 years. These Chattel Loans are recorded net of allowances of approximately $0.4 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we received principal payment of approximately $1.0 million on a previously reserved loan related to one of our previous acquisitions.
	We also provide financing for non-refundable upgrades to existing right-to-use contracts (“Contracts Receivable”). As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had approximately $18.4 million and $17.2 million, respectively, of Contracts Receivable, net of allowances of approximately $0.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively. These Contracts Receivable represent loans to customers who have entered into right-to-use contracts. The Contracts Receivable have an average stated interest rate of 16.0% per annum, have a weighted average term remaining of approximately four years and require monthly payments of principal and interest.

Borrowing_Arrangements

Borrowing Arrangements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Borrowing Arrangements	'
	Borrowing Arrangements
	Mortgage Notes Payable
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had outstanding mortgage indebtedness of approximately $2,006 million and $1,992 million, respectively. The weighted average interest rate including the impact of premium/discount amortization on this mortgage indebtedness for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was approximately 5.2% per annum. The debt bears interest at stated rates of 3.9% to 8.9% per annum and matures on various dates ranging from 2015 to 2039. The debt encumbered a total of 137 and 147 of our Properties as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and the carrying value of such Properties was approximately $2,315 million and $2,378 million, respectively, as of such dates.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we closed on four loans with total proceeds of $54.0 million that are secured by two manufactured home communities and two RV resorts. The loans have a weighted average interest rate of 4.54% per annum and are set to mature in 2034 and 2038. We also refinanced the $53.8 million loan secured by our Colony Cove community with a stated interest rate of 4.65% per annum that was scheduled to mature in 2017. The new loan, with gross proceeds of $115.0 million, has a 25 year term and carries a stated interest rate of 4.64% per annum. We paid a prepayment fee of approximately $5.1 million associated with the early retirement of the prior loan. The aforementioned loan proceeds were used to pay off 16 mortgages totaling approximately $86.3 million that had a weighted average interest rate of 5.57% per annum.
	We also assumed approximately $13.3 million of mortgage debt, excluding note premiums of $1.0 million, secured by Blackhawk and Lakeland resort properties with a weighted average stated interest rate of 6.48% per annum which are set to mature in 2017 and 2018.
	Term Loan
	As of September 30, 2014, our amended $200.0 million Term Loan (the “Term Loan”) matures on January 10, 2020 and has an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.35% to 1.95% per annum and, subject to certain conditions, may be prepaid at any time without premium or penalty. The spread over LIBOR is variable based on leverage measured quarterly throughout the loan term. The Term Loan contains customary representations, warranties, and negative and affirmative covenants, and provides for acceleration of principal and payment of all other amounts payable thereunder upon the occurrence of certain events of default. In connection with the amendment of the Term Loan, we also entered into a three year LIBOR Swap Agreement (the “2014 Swap”) allowing us to trade the variable interest rate for a fixed interest rate on the Term Loan. (See Note 8 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q for further information on the accounting for the Swap.)
	As of December 31, 2013, our Term Loan matured on June 30, 2017, had an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.85% to 2.80% per annum and, subject to certain conditions, was prepayable at any time without premium or penalty. In connection with the original Term Loan, we entered into a three year, $200.0 million LIBOR notional Swap Agreement (the “2011 Swap”), which allowed us to trade the variable interest rate for a fixed interest rate on the Term Loan and matured July 1, 2014.
	Unsecured Line of Credit
	As of September 30, 2014, our amended, unsecured Line of Credit (“LOC”) had a borrowing capacity of $400.0 million, with the option to increase the borrowing capacity by $100.0 million, subject to certain conditions. The amended LOC bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus a maximum of 1.20% to 1.65%, requires an annual facility fee of 0.20% to 0.35% and matures on July 17, 2018, with an option to extend an additional year, subject to certain conditions. The spread over LIBOR is variable based on leverage throughout the loan term. We incurred commitment and arrangement fees of approximately $3.5 million to enter into the amended LOC and Term Loan extension.
	As of December 31, 2013, our LOC had availability of $380.0 million with no amounts outstanding. Our LOC bore a LIBOR rate plus a maximum of 1.40% to 2.00%, contained a 0.25% to 0.40% facility fee and had a maturity date of September 15, 2016, with the option to extend for one year, subject to certain conditions.
	As of September 30, 2014, we are in compliance in all material respects with the covenants in our borrowing arrangements.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

'

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

In connection with our amended Term Loan, we entered into the 2014 Swap (see Note 7 in the the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q for information about the Term Loan related to the 2014 Swap) allowing us to trade the variable interest rate for a fixed interest rate on the Term Loan. The 2014 Swap fixes the underlying LIBOR rate on the Term Loan at 1.04% per annum for the first three years and matures on August 1, 2017. Based on the leverage as of September 30, 2014, our spread over LIBOR will be 1.35% resulting in an initial estimated all-in interest rate of 2.39% per annum.

In connection with the original Term Loan in 2011, we entered into the 2011 Swap (see Note 7 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-Q for information about the Term Loan related to the 2011 Swap) that fixed the underlying LIBOR rate on the Term Loan at 1.11% per annum for the first three years and matured on July 1, 2014.

We have designated the 2014 and 2011 Swap as cash flow hedges. No gain or loss was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income related to hedge ineffectiveness or to amounts excluded from effectiveness testing on our cash flow hedge during the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets related to derivatives are reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on our variable-rate debt. During the next twelve months, we estimate that an additional $1.6 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense. This estimate may be subject to change as the under underlying LIBOR rate changes.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The table below presents the fair value of our derivative financial instrument as well as our classification on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (amounts in thousands).

Balance Sheet Location

September 30,

December 31,

2014

2013

Interest Rate Swap

Escrow deposits, goodwill, and other assets, net

$

141

$

—

Interest Rate Swap

Accrued payroll and other operating expenses

$

—

$

927

Tabular Disclosure of the Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Income Statement

The tables below present the effect of our derivative financial instrument on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands).

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship

Amount of loss recognized

Location of loss

Amount of loss

in OCI on derivative

reclassified from

reclassified from

(effective portion)

accumulated OCI into income

accumulated OCI into

(effective portion)

income (effective

portion)

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

2014

2013

2014

2013

Interest Rate Swap

$

233

$

106

Interest Expense

$

374

$

467

The tables below present the effect of our derivative financial instrument on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands).

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship

Amount of loss recognized

Location of loss

Amount of loss

in OCI on derivative

reclassified from

reclassified from

(effective portion)

accumulated OCI into income

accumulated OCI into

(effective portion)

income (effective

portion)

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

2014

2013

2014

2013

Interest Rate Swap

$

256

$

141

Interest Expense

$

1,324

$

1,374

We determined that no adjustment was necessary for nonperformance risk on our derivative obligation. As of September 30, 2014, we have not posted any collateral related to this agreement.

Deferred_RevenueRighttouse_con

Deferred Revenue-Right-to-use contracts and Deferred commission expense	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Deferred Revenue Entry Of Right To Use Contracts And Deferred Commission Expense [Text Block]	'
	Deferred Revenue-entry of right-to-use contracts and Deferred Commission Expense
	Up-front payments received upon the entry of right-to-use contracts are recognized in accordance with FASB ASC 605. We recognize the up-front non-refundable payments over the estimated customer life, which, based on historical attrition rates, we have estimated to be 31 years. The commissions paid on the entry of right-to-use contracts are deferred and amortized over the same period as the related revenue.
	Note 9 – Deferred Revenue-entry of right-to-use contracts and Deferred Commission Expense (continued)
	Components of the change in deferred revenue-right-to-use contracts and deferred commission expense are as follows (amounts in thousands):
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013
	Deferred revenue – right-to-use contracts, as of January 1,	$	68,673		$	62,979
	Deferral of new right-to-use contracts	9,956			9,899
	Deferred revenue recognized	(5,653		)	(5,453		)
	Net increase in deferred revenue	4,303			4,446
	Deferred revenue – right-to-use contracts, as of September 30,	$	72,976		$	67,425
	Deferred commission expense, as of January 1,	$	25,251		$	22,841
	Costs deferred	4,734			3,757
	Commission expense recognized	(2,100		)	(1,933		)
	Net increase in deferred commission expense	2,634			1,824
	Deferred commission expense, as of September 30,	$	27,885		$	24,665

Stock_Option_Plan_and_Stock_Gr

Stock Option Plan and Stock Grants	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stock Option Plan and Stock Grants	'
	Equity Incentive Awards
	We account for our stock-based compensation in accordance with the Codification Topic “Compensation – Stock Compensation” (“FASB ASC 718”).
	Stock-based compensation expense, reported in “General and administrative” on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $2.6 million and $1.6 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $5.0 million and $4.3 million, respectively.
	Our 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”) was adopted by our Board of Directors on March 11, 2014 and approved by our stockholders on May 13, 2014. Pursuant to the 2014 Plan, our officers, directors, employees and consultants may be awarded (i) shares of common stock (“Restricted Stock Grants”), (ii) options to acquire shares of common stock (“Options”), including non-qualified stock options and incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, and (iii) other forms of equity awards, subject to conditions and restrictions determined by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee will determine the vesting schedule, if any, of each Restricted Stock Grant or Option and the term of each Option, which term shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant. Shares that do not vest are forfeited. Dividends paid on restricted stock are not returnable, even if the underlying stock does not entirely vest. Options are awarded at the New York Stock Exchange closing price of our common stock on the grant date. A maximum of 3,750,000 shares of common stock are available for grant under the 2014 Plan.
	Grants under the 2014 Plan are made by the Compensation Committee, which determines the individuals eligible to receive awards, the types of awards, and the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to any award.
	Grants Issued
	On May 13, 2014, we awarded Restricted Stock Grants for 84,666 shares of common stock at a fair market value of $3.6 million to certain members of our senior management. These Restricted Stock Grants will vest on December 31, 2014.
	On May 13, 2014, we awarded Restricted Stock Grants for 62,000 shares of common stock at a fair market value of approximately $2.6 million to certain members of our Board of Directors for services rendered for the remainder of 2014. One-third of the shares of restricted common stock covered by these awards vests on each of December 31, 2014, December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2016.
	On May 13, 2014, we awarded Restricted Stock Grants for 40,000 shares of common stock at a fair market value of approximately $1.7 million to the Board of Directors. One-third of the shares of restricted common stock covered by these awards vests on each of November 13, 2014, May 13, 2015, and May 13, 2016.

LongTerm_Cash_Incentive_Plan

Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan	'
	Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan
	On January 24, 2013, our Compensation Committee approved a Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan Award (the “2013 LTIP”) to provide a long-term cash bonus opportunity to certain members of our management. The 2013 LTIP was approved by the Compensation Committee pursuant to the authority set forth in the Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan approved by the Board of Directors on May 15, 2007. The total cumulative payment for all participants (the “Eligible Payment”) is based upon certain performance conditions being met over a three year period ending December 31, 2015.
	The Compensation Committee has responsibility for administering the 2013 LTIP and may use its reasonable discretion to adjust the performance criteria or Eligible Payments to take into account the impact of any major or unforeseen transaction or event. Our executive officers are not participants in the 2013 LTIP. The Eligible Payment will be paid in cash upon completion of our annual audit for the 2015 fiscal year and upon satisfaction of the vesting conditions as outlined in the 2013 LTIP and, including employer costs, is currently estimated to be approximately $5.8 million. As of September 30, 2014, we had accrued compensation expense of approximately $3.3 million for the 2013 LTIP, including approximately $1.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The amount accrued for the 2013 LTIP reflects our evaluation of the 2013 LTIP based on forecasts and other available information and is subject to performance in line with forecasts and final evaluation and determination by the Compensation Committee. There can be no assurances that our estimates of the probable outcome will be representative of the actual outcome.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	California Rent Control Litigation
	As part of our effort to realize the value of our Properties subject to rent control, we previously initiated lawsuits against certain localities in California with the goal of achieving a level of regulatory fairness in California’s rent control jurisdictions, and in particular those jurisdictions that prohibit increasing rents to market upon turnover. Such regulations allow tenants to sell their homes for a price that includes a premium above the intrinsic value of the homes. The premium represents the value of the future discounted rent-controlled rents, which is fully capitalized into the prices of the homes sold. In our view, such regulations result in a transfer to the tenants of the value of our land, which would otherwise be reflected in market rents. We have discovered through the litigation process that certain municipalities considered condemning our Properties at values well below the value of the underlying land. In our view, a failure to articulate market rents for Sites governed by restrictive rent control would put us at risk for condemnation or eminent domain proceedings based on artificially reduced rents. Such a physical taking, should it occur, could represent substantial lost value to stockholders. We are cognizant of the need for affordable housing in the jurisdictions, but assert that restrictive rent regulation does not promote this purpose because tenants pay to their sellers as part of the purchase price of the home all the future rent savings that are expected to result from the rent control regulations, eliminating any supposed improvement in the affordability of housing. In a more well-balanced regulatory environment, we would receive market rents that would eliminate the price premium for homes, which would trade at or near their intrinsic value. Such efforts have included the following matters:
	City of San Rafael
	We sued the City of San Rafael on October 13, 2000 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, challenging its rent control ordinance (the “Ordinance”) on constitutional grounds. We believe the litigation was settled by the City’s agreement to amend the ordinance to permit adjustments to market rent upon turnover. The City subsequently rejected the settlement agreement. The Court refused to enforce the settlement agreement, and submitted to a jury the claim that it had been breached. In October 2002, a jury found no breach of the settlement agreement.
	Our constitutional claims against the City were tried in a bench trial during April 2007. On April 17, 2009, the Court issued its Order for Entry of Judgment in our favor (the “April 2009 Order”). On June 10, 2009, the Court ordered the City to pay us net fees and costs of approximately $2.1 million. On June 30, 2009, as anticipated by the April 2009 Order, the Court entered final judgment that gradually phased out the City’s Site rent regulation scheme that the Court found unconstitutional. Pursuant to the final judgment, existing residents of our Property in San Rafael were able to continue to pay Site rent as if the Ordinance were to remain in effect for a period of 10 years, enforcement of the Ordinance was immediately enjoined with respect to new residents of the Property, and the Ordinance would expire entirely ten years from the June 30, 2009 date of judgment.
	The City and the residents’ association (which intervened in the case) appealed, and we cross-appealed. On April 17, 2013, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued an opinion in which, among other rulings, it reversed the trial court’s determinations that the Ordinance had unconstitutionally taken our property and that we were entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees and costs, and affirmed the jury verdict that the City had not breached the settlement agreement and affirmed the award to the City of approximately $1.25 million of attorneys’ fees and costs on the settlement agreement claims. On May 1, 2013, we filed with the Court of Appeals a petition for panel rehearing and rehearing en banc, which was denied on June 3, 2013. On June 26, 2013, the Court of Appeals’ mandate was issued. On September 3, 2013, we filed a petition for review by the U.S. Supreme Court. On September 10, 2013, the City and the residents’ association each waived the right to respond to our petition. On October 7, 2013, the Supreme Court requested that a response be filed, which was filed on December 6, 2013. We filed a reply supporting our petition on December 20, 2013. On January 13, 2014, the Supreme Court issued an order denying our petition for review.
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, we paid approximately $1.4 million related to the ruling of the Court of Appeals. On July 10, 2013, we paid to the City $1.27 million to satisfy, including interest, the attorneys’ fees and costs judgment affirmed by the Court of Appeals. In August 2013, we also paid to the City approximately $0.08 million to satisfy its claim for attorney’s fees on appeal.
	City of Santee
	On January 31, 2012, we sued the City of Santee in the United States District for the Southern District of California alleging that the City’s rent control ordinance effectuates a regulatory and private taking of our property and is unconstitutional under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. On April 2, 2012, the City filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. On December 21, 2012, the Court entered an order in which it: (a) denied the City’s motion to dismiss our private taking and substantive due process claims; (b) granted the City’s motion to dismiss our procedural due process claim as not cognizable because of the availability of a state remedy of a writ of mandamus; and (c) granted the City’s motion to dismiss our regulatory taking claim as being not ripe. In addition, we also filed in the California Superior Court on February 1, 2012 a petition for a writ of administrative mandamus, and on September 28, 2012 a motion for writ of administrative mandamus, seeking orders directing that a rent increase petition we had filed with the City be granted. On April 5, 2013, the Court denied our petition for writ of administrative mandamus. On June 3, 2013, we filed an appeal to the California Court of Appeal from the denial of our petition for writ of administrative mandamus.
	On September 26, 2013, we entered a settlement agreement with the City of Santee pursuant to which the City agreed to the entry of a peremptory writ of mandate by the Superior Court directing the City to grant us a special adjustment under the City’s rent control ordinance permitting us, subject to the terms of the agreement, to increase Site rents at the Meadowbrook community through January 1, 2034 as follows: (a) a one-time 2.5% rent increase on all Sites in January 2014; plus (b) annual rent increases of 100% of the consumer price index (CPI) beginning in 2014; and (c) a 10% increase in the rent on a site upon turnover of that site. Absent the settlement, the rent control ordinance limited us to annual rent increases of at most 70% of CPI with no increases on turnover of a site.
	Colony Park
	On December 1, 2006, a group of tenants at our Colony Park Property in Ceres, California filed a complaint in the California Superior Court for Stanislaus County alleging that we had failed to properly maintain the Property and had improperly reduced the services provided to the tenants, among other allegations. We answered the complaint by denying all material allegations and filed a counterclaim for declaratory relief and damages. The case proceeded in Superior Court because our motion to compel arbitration was denied and the denial was upheld on appeal. Trial of the case began on July 27, 2010. After just over three months of trial in which the plaintiffs asked the jury to award a total of approximately $6.8 million in damages, the jury rendered verdicts awarding a total of less than $44,000 to six out of the 72 plaintiffs, and awarding nothing to the other 66 plaintiffs. The plaintiffs who were awarded nothing filed a motion for a new trial or alternatively for judgment notwithstanding the jury’s verdict, which the Court denied on February 14, 2011. All but three of the 66 plaintiffs to whom the jury awarded nothing appealed. Oral argument in the appeal was held on September 19, 2013 and the matter was taken under submission by the California Court of Appeal.
	By orders entered on December 14, 2011, the Superior Court awarded us approximately $2.0 million in attorneys’ fees and other costs jointly and severally against the plaintiffs to whom the jury awarded nothing, and awarded no attorneys’ fees or costs to either side with respect to the six plaintiffs to whom the jury awarded less than $44,000. Plaintiffs filed an appeal from the approximately $2.0 million award of our attorneys’ fees and other costs. Oral argument in that appeal was also held on September 19, 2013. On December 3, 2013, the Court of Appeal issued a partially published opinion that rejected all of plaintiffs’ claims on appeal except one, relating to whether the park’s rules prohibited the renting of spaces to recreational vehicles.  The Court of Appeal reversed the judgment on the recreational vehicle issue and remanded for further proceedings regarding that issue.  Because the judgment was reversed, the award of attorney’s fees and other costs was also reversed.  Both sides filed rehearing petitions with the Court of Appeal.  On December 31, 2013, the Court of Appeal granted the defendants’ rehearing petition and ordered the parties to submit supplemental briefing, which the parties did. On March 10, 2014, the Court of Appeal issued a new partially published opinion in which it again rejected all of plaintiffs’ claims on appeal except the one relating to whether the park’s rules prohibited the renting of spaces to recreational vehicles, reversing the judgment on that issue and remanding it for further proceedings, and accordingly vacating the award of attorney’s fees and other costs. A case management conference is scheduled for December 15, 2014 for purposes of setting a schedule and procedure for resolving the RV issue.
	California Hawaiian
	On April 30, 2009, a group of tenants at our California Hawaiian Property in San Jose, California filed a complaint in the California Superior Court for Santa Clara County, Case No. 109CV140751, alleging that we have failed to properly maintain the Property and have improperly reduced the services provided to the tenants, among other allegations. We moved to compel arbitration and stay the proceedings, to dismiss the case, and to strike portions of the complaint. By order dated October 8, 2009, the Court granted our motion to compel arbitration and stayed the court proceedings pending the outcome of the arbitration. The plaintiffs filed with the California Court of Appeal a petition for a writ seeking to overturn the trial court’s arbitration and stay orders. On May 10, 2011, the Court of Appeal granted the petition and ordered the trial court to vacate its order compelling arbitration and to restore the matter to its litigation calendar for further proceedings. On May 24, 2011, we filed a petition for rehearing requesting the Court of Appeal to reconsider its May 10, 2011 decision. On June 8, 2011, the Court of Appeal denied the petition for rehearing. On June 16, 2011, we filed with the California Supreme Court a petition for review of the Court of Appeal’s decision. On August 17, 2011, the California Supreme Court denied the petition for review.
	The trial commenced on January 27, 2014. On April 14-15, 2014, the jury entered verdicts against our Operating Partnership of approximately $15.3 million in compensatory damages and approximately $95.8 million in punitive damages. We will vigorously seek to overturn these verdicts in the trial court or on appeal, including but not limited to asking the trial judge to grant a new trial and to reduce the damages. On October 6, 2014, we filed a motion for a new trial and a motion for partial judgment notwithstanding the jury’s verdict. The plaintiffs’ responses are due on November 5, 2014, our replies on November 17, 2014 and oral argument will be held on November 25, 2014. The court has until December 5, 2014 to rule on our motion for a new trial, and until December 15, 2014 to specify in detail the reasons for granting relief. At September 30, 2014, based on the information available to us, a material loss was neither probable nor estimable. We have taken into consideration the events that have occurred after the reporting period and before the financial statements were issued. We anticipate a lengthy time period to achieve resolution of this case.
	Given the uncertainty related to the ultimate resolution of this case as well as the time period to reach a conclusion, we are unable to provide an estimate of any possible loss, although we currently estimate a range of possible outcomes between zero and approximately $111.1 million based on all of the facts presented.  At this time, we cannot determine that any amount within the range is a better estimate and therefore we conclude that we should accrue the minimum of zero as of September 30, 2014. We will continue to evaluate the possible outcomes of this case in light of future developments and their potential impact on factors relevant to our assessment of any possible loss.
	Other
	In addition to legal matters discussed above, we are involved in various other legal and regulatory proceedings (“Other Proceedings”) arising in the ordinary course of business. The Other Proceedings include, but are not limited to, notices, consent decrees, information requests, and additional permit requirements and other similar enforcement actions by governmental agencies relating to our water and wastewater treatment plants and other waste treatment facilities. Additionally, in the ordinary course of business, our operations are subject to audit by various taxing authorities. Management believes these Other Proceedings taken together do not represent a material liability. In addition, to the extent any such proceedings or audits relate to newly acquired Properties, we consider any potential indemnification obligations of sellers in our favor.

Reportable_Segments

Reportable Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Reportable Segments	'
	Operating segments are defined as components of an entity for which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker. The chief operating decision maker evaluates and assesses performance on a monthly basis. Segment operating performance is measured on Net Operating Income (“NOI”). NOI is defined as total operating revenues less total operating expenses. Segments are assessed before interest income, depreciation and amortization of in-place leases.
	We have two reportable segments which are: (i) Property Operations and (ii) Home Sales and Rentals Operations. The Property Operations segment owns and operates land lease Properties and the Home Sales and Rentals Operations segment purchases, sells and leases homes at the Properties.
	All revenues are from external customers and there is no customer who contributed 10% or more of our total revenues during the quarters or nine months ended September 30, 2014 or 2013.
	The following tables summarize our segment financial information for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):
	Quarter Ended September 30, 2014
		Property			Home Sales			Consolidated
		Operations			and Rentals
					Operations
	Operations revenues	$	184,046		$	12,737		$	196,783
	Operations expenses	(91,715		)	(10,498		)	(102,213		)
	Income from segment operations	92,331			2,239			94,570
	Interest income	696			1,185			1,881
	Depreciation on real estate and rental homes	(25,010		)	(2,821		)	(27,831		)
	Amortization of in-place leases	(1,075		)	—			(1,075		)
	Income from operations	$	66,942		$	603		$	67,545
	Reconciliation to Consolidated net income
	Corporate interest income							21
	Income from other investments, net							1,869
	General and administrative							(7,623		)
	Interest and related amortization							(27,864		)
	Early debt retirement							(5,087		)
	Property rights initiatives							(751		)
	Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures							1,237
	Gain on sale of property							929
	Consolidated net income							$	30,276
	Total assets	$	3,170,718		$	280,430		$	3,451,148
	Quarter Ended September 30, 2013
		Property			Home Sales			Consolidated
		Operations			and Rentals
					Operations
	Operations revenues	$	174,657		$	9,224		$	183,881
	Operations expenses	(86,579		)	(7,650		)	(94,229		)
	Income from segment operations	88,078			1,574			89,652
	Interest income	856			1,216			2,072
	Depreciation on real estate and rental homes	(24,730		)	(1,730		)	(26,460		)
	Amortization of in-place leases	(485		)	—			(485		)
	Income from operations	$	63,719		$	1,060		$	64,779
	Reconciliation to Consolidated net income
	Corporate interest income							128
	Income from other investments, net							1,885
	General and administrative							(7,606		)
	Interest and related amortization							(29,206		)
	Early debt retirement							(36,530		)
	Property rights initiatives							(521		)
	Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures							439
	Discontinued operations							982
	Gain on sale of property, net of tax							40,586
	Consolidated net income							$	34,936
	Total assets	$	3,099,625		$	297,505		$	3,397,130
	The following tables summarize our segment financial information for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Property			Home Sales			Consolidated
		Operations			and Rentals
					Operations
	Operations revenues	$	540,859		$	32,558		$	573,417
	Operations expenses	(261,188		)	(26,765		)	(287,953		)
	Income from segment operations	279,671			5,793			285,464
	Interest income	2,266			3,339			5,605
	Depreciation on real estate and rental homes	(74,815		)	(8,419		)	(83,234		)
	Amortization of in-place leases	(3,791		)	—			(3,791		)
	Income from operations	$	203,331		$	713		$	204,044
	Reconciliation to Consolidated net income
	Corporate interest income							872
Income from other investments, net							6,098
General and administrative							(20,178		)
Early debt retirement							(5,087		)
Interest and related amortization							(84,177		)
Property rights initiatives							(2,063		)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures							3,768
Gain on sale of property							929
Consolidated net income							$	104,206
Total assets	$	3,170,718		$	280,430		$	3,451,148
Capital improvements	$	22,111		$	19,534		$	41,645
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Property			Home Sales			Consolidated
	Operations			and Rentals
				Operations
Operations revenues	$	512,587		$	23,744		$	536,331
Operations expenses	(249,148		)	(18,688		)	(267,836		)
Income from segment operations	263,439			5,056			268,495
Interest income	2,589			3,220			5,809
Depreciation on real estate and rental homes	(76,704		)	(5,089		)	(81,793		)
Amortization of in-place leases	(803		)	—			(803		)
Income from operations	$	188,521		$	3,187		$	191,708
Reconciliation to Consolidated net income
Corporate interest income							364
Income from other investments, net							5,989
General and administrative							(21,261		)
Interest and related amortization							(89,706		)
Early debt retirement							(37,911		)
Property rights initiatives							(2,377		)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures							1,624
Discontinued operations							7,215
Gain on sale of property, net of tax							41,544
Consolidated net income							$	97,189
Total assets	$	3,099,625		$	297,505		$	3,397,130
Capital improvements	$	17,787		$	30,784		$	48,571
The following table summarizes our financial information for the Property Operations segment, specific to continuing operations, for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):
	Quarters Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Revenues:
Community base rental income	$	106,967		$	103,157		$	319,514		$	305,401
Resort base rental income	44,351			39,932			126,188			113,868
Right-to-use annual payments	11,404			12,323			33,859			35,889
Right-to-use contracts current period, gross	3,944			3,707			9,956			9,899
Right-to-use contracts current period, deferred	(1,989		)	(1,856		)	(4,303		)	(4,446		)
Utility income and other	18,581			16,224			53,070			48,694
Ancillary services revenues, net	788			1,170			2,575			3,282
Total property operations revenues	184,046			174,657			540,859			512,587
Expenses:
Property operating and maintenance	66,105			61,782			186,018			175,183
Real estate taxes	12,263			11,584			36,905			35,873
Sales and marketing, gross	3,018			3,842			8,118			9,536
Sales and marketing deferred commissions, net	(757		)	(706		)	(2,022		)	(1,824		)
Property management	11,086			10,077			32,169			30,380
Total property operations expenses	91,715			86,579			261,188			249,148
Income from property operations segment	$	92,331		$	88,078		$	279,671		$	263,439
The following table summarizes our financial information for the Home Sales and Rentals Operations segment, specific to continuing operations, for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):
	Quarters Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Revenues:
Gross revenue from home sales	$	8,717		$	5,415		$	20,455		$	12,328
Brokered resale revenues, net	336			225			916			840
Rental home income (a)	3,684			3,584			11,187			10,576
Total revenues	12,737			9,224			32,558			23,744
Expenses:
Cost of home sales	8,156			5,137			19,679			11,837
Home selling expenses	513			563			1,710			1,544
Rental home operating and maintenance	1,829			1,950			5,376			5,307
Total expenses	10,498			7,650			26,765			18,688
Income from home sales and rentals operations segment	$	2,239		$	1,574		$	5,793		$	5,056
______________________
(a)	Segment information does not include Site rental income included in Community base rental income.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Basis of Consolidation
	The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the consolidation of our accounts. We do not have controlling interests in any of our joint ventures (“JV”), which are therefore treated under the equity method of accounting and not consolidated in our financial statements. The holders of limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership (“Common OP Unitholders”) receive an allocation of net income that is based on their respective ownership percentage of the Operating Partnership which is shown in our Consolidated Financial Statements as Non-controlling interests-Common OP Units. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Real Estate Assets And Depreciation Of Investment In Real Estate Policy [Text Block]	'
	Real Estate
	Our policy is to estimate useful lives associated with our real estate assets and to depreciate the assets based on our estimates. We review useful lives periodically to ensure that these estimates accurately reflect the economic use of the assets. In January 2014, we completed a review of the useful lives and salvage values of our manufactured homes. During the first quarter of 2014, we prospectively changed the depreciable life of our new manufactured homes to 25 years straight-lined with no residual value and our used manufactured homes to 10-25 years straight-lined with no residual value. This change in estimate did not have a material impact in our financial statements.
Reclassifications Policy [Text Block]	'
	Reclassifications
	Certain 2013 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2014 presentation. Income statement amounts for disposed Properties were reclassified in 2013 to “Discontinued operations” on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for all transactions that occurred in 2013. In addition, certain prior period disclosures in the accompanying footnotes have been revised to exclude amounts which have been reclassified to discontinued operations. These reclassifications had no material effect on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.
Identified Intangibles and Goodwill	'
	Identified Intangibles and Goodwill
	We record acquired intangible assets at their estimated fair value separate and apart from goodwill. We amortize identified intangible assets and liabilities that are determined to have finite lives over the period the assets and liabilities are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the future cash flows of the property or business acquired. In accordance with the Codification Sub-Topic “Impairment or Disposal of Long Lived Assets” (“FASB ASC 360-10-35”), intangible assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an intangible asset is not recoverable and its carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value.
	The excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net of the amounts assigned to assets acquired (including identified intangible assets) and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. In accordance with Codification Topic “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“FASB ASC 350”), goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at a level of reporting referred to as a reporting unit on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the gross carrying amounts of identified intangible assets and goodwill, a component of “Escrow deposits, goodwill and other assets, net” on our consolidated balance sheets, were approximately $12.1 million. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, this amount was comprised of approximately $4.3 million of identified intangible assets and approximately $7.8 million of goodwill. Accumulated amortization of identified intangible assets was approximately $2.1 million and $1.9 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. For each of the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, amortization expense for the identified intangible assets was approximately $0.1 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, amortization expense for the identified intangible assets was approximately $0.3 million.
	Estimated amortization of identified intangible assets for each of the next five years are as follows (amounts in thousands):
	Year ending December 31,	Amount
	2015	$	349
	2016	251
	2017	87
	2018	87
	2019	87
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Restricted Cash
	Cash as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 included approximately $5.0 million and $5.2 million, respectively, of restricted cash for the payment of capital improvements, insurance or real estate taxes.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Our financial instruments include notes receivable, accounts receivable, accounts payable, other accrued expenses, interest rate swaps and mortgage notes payable. We disclose the estimated fair value of our financial instruments according to a fair value hierarchy (Level 1, 2 and 3).
	Our mortgage notes payable and term loan had a fair value of approximately $2.3 billion and $2.2 billion as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, measured using quoted prices and observable inputs from similar liabilities (Level 2). At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our cash flow hedge of interest rate risk included in accrued payroll and other operating expenses was measured using quoted prices and observable inputs from similar assets and liabilities (Level 2). We consider our own credit risk as well as the credit risk of our counterparties when evaluating the fair value of our derivatives. The fair values of our notes receivable, accounts receivable, accounts payable, other accrued expenses and interest rate swaps approximate their carrying or contract values
Deferred Financing Costs, net	'
	Deferred Financing Costs, net
	Deferred financing costs, net include fees and costs incurred to obtain long-term financing. The costs are being amortized over the terms of the respective loans on a basis that approximates level yield. Unamortized deferred financing fees are written-off when debt is retired before the maturity date. Upon amendment of the line of credit or refinancing of mortgage debt, unamortized deferred financing fees are accounted for in accordance with Codification Sub-Topic “Modifications and Extinguishments” (“FASB ASC 470-50-40”). Accumulated amortization for such costs was $28.8 million and $25.4 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update 2014-08, “Property, Plant, and Equipment: Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity” (“ASU 2014-08”). The definition of discontinued operations has been revised to limit the criteria for the classification and presentation to disposals of components of a company that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on a company’s operations and financial results. Required expanded disclosures for disposals or disposal groups that qualify for discontinued operations are intended to provide users of financial statements with enhanced information about the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of such discontinued operations. While the threshold for a disposal or disposal group to qualify for discontinued operations has been revised, this pronouncement retains the held for sale classification and presentation concepts of previous authoritative literature. Accordingly, under this pronouncement, a disposal or disposal group may qualify for held for sale classification but not meet the threshold for discontinued operations treatment. This pronouncement allows for early adoption permitted January 1, 2014. Pursuant to its terms we have elected to early adopt this pronouncement effective January 1, 2014. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The gain on sale of property recognized during the current quarter, is presented separately as continuing operations in our Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”) which will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The core principle of the ASU is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services equal to the amount that it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. The ASU requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. ASU No. 2014-09 does not apply to lease contracts accounted for under ASC 840, Leases. ASU 2014-09 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is not permitted. Entities can transition to the standard either retrospectively or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We are in the process of assessing the impact of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Estimated Amortization of Identified Intangible Assets for Next Five Years	'
	Estimated amortization of identified intangible assets for each of the next five years are as follows (amounts in thousands):
	Year ending December 31,	Amount
	2015	$	349
	2016	251
	2017	87
	2018	87
	2019	87

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Earn

Earnings Per Common Share Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table sets forth the computation of the basic and diluted earnings per common share for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands, except per share data):
		Quarters Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Numerators:
	Income (loss) from Continuing Operations:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	30,276		$	(6,632	)	$	104,206		$	48,430
	Amounts allocated to dilutive securities	(2,219		)	755			(7,929		)	(3,385		)
	Preferred Stock distributions	(2,311		)	(2,311		)	(6,949		)	(6,951		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Common Shares – basic	25,746			(8,188		)	89,328			38,094
	Amounts allocated to dilutive securities	2,219			(755		)	7,929			3,385
	Income (loss) from continuing operations available to Common Shares – fully diluted	$	27,965		$	(8,943	)	$	97,257		$	41,479
	Income from Discontinued Operations:
	Income from discontinued operations, net of amounts allocated to dilutive securities	$	—		$	38,060		$	—		$	44,661
	Net Income Available for Common Shares:
	Net income available for Common Shares – basic	$	25,746		$	29,872		$	89,328		$	82,755
	Amounts allocated to dilutive securities	2,219			2,753			7,929			7,483
	Net income available for Common Shares – fully diluted	$	27,965		$	32,625		$	97,257		$	90,238
	Denominator:
	Weighted average Common Shares outstanding – basic	83,531			83,021			83,295			83,023
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Exchange of Common OP Units for Common Shares	7,254			7,604			7,471			7,506
	Stock options and restricted shares	743			634			705			620
	Weighted average Common Shares outstanding – fully diluted	91,528			91,259			91,471			91,149
	Earnings per Common Share – Basic:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.31		$	(0.10	)	$	1.07		$	0.46
	Income from discontinued operations	—			0.46			—			0.54
	Net income available for Common Shares	$	0.31		$	0.36		$	1.07		$	1
	Earnings per Common Share – Fully Diluted:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.31		$	(0.10	)	$	1.06		$	0.46
	Income from discontinued operations	—			0.46			—			0.53
	Net income available for Common Shares	$	0.31		$	0.36		$	1.06		$	0.99

Investment_in_Real_Estate_Prop

Investment in Real Estate Properties Disposed (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures [Table Text Block]	'
	Results of operations for the Michigan Properties have been presented separately as discontinued operations for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2013 in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. The following table summarizes the components of income and expense relating to discontinued operations for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2013 (amounts in thousands):
		Quarter Ended			Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep-13			30-Sep-13
	Community base rental home income	$	1,448		$	11,565
	Rental income	328			1,948
	Utility and other income	378			1,375
	Discontinued property operating revenues	2,154			14,888
	Property operating expenses	1,116			6,039
	Income from discontinued property operations	1,038			8,849
	Income (loss) from home sales operations	2			(77		)
	Other income and expenses	37			334
	Interest and amortization	(95		)	(355		)
	Depreciation and in place lease amortization	—			(1,536		)
	Discontinued operations, net	$	982		$	7,215

Investment_in_Real_Estate_Sche

Investment in Real Estate Schedule of Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Real Estate [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisitions for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and year ended December 31, 2013, which we determined using Level two and Level three inputs (amounts in thousands):
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014		Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Assets acquired
	Land	$	43,761	$	41,022
	Depreciable property	29,493		87,306
	Manufactured homes	769		1,155
	In-place leases	773		3,910
	Net investment in real estate	74,796		133,393
	Other Assets	1,197		1,025
	Total Assets acquired	$	75,993	$	134,418
	Liabilities assumed
	Mortgage notes payable	14,230		5,382
	Other liabilities	4,193		1,777
	Total Liabilities assumed	18,423		7,159
	Net assets acquired	$	57,570	$	127,259

Investment_in_Joint_Ventures_T

Investment in Joint Ventures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes our investment in unconsolidated joint ventures (investment amounts in thousands with the number of Properties shown parenthetically as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013):
							Investment as of				JV Income for the
											Nine Months Ended
	Investment	Location	Number of	Economic			September 30,		December 31,		September 30,		September 30,
			Sites	Interest (a)			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Meadows	Various (2,2)	1,077	50	%		$	1,999	$	1,679	$	1,703	$	856
	Lakeshore	Florida (2,2)	342	65	%		21		145		1,288		203
	Voyager	Arizona (1,1)	1,706	50	%	(b)	7,166		7,074		724		720
	Other	Various (0,0)	—	20	%	(c)	—		—		25		(188		)
	ECHO JV	Various (0,0)	—	50	%		6,228		2,685		28		33
			3,125				$	15,414	$	11,583	$	3,768	$	1,624
	_____________________
	(a)	The percentages shown approximate our economic interest as of September 30, 2014. Our legal ownership interest may differ.
	(b)	Voyager joint venture primarily consists of a 50% interest in Voyager RV Resort and 33% interest in the utility providing water to the Property.
	(c)	During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, we received payment of $0.1 million for the sale of our remaining 20% interest in the Time Shares Only joint venture.

Effect_of_Derivative_Financial

Effect of Derivative Financial Instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income schedule of derivative instruments in statement of financial position (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Schedule of derivative instruments in statement of financial position [Abstract]

'

Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]

'

The table below presents the fair value of our derivative financial instrument as well as our classification on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (amounts in thousands).

Balance Sheet Location

September 30,

December 31,

2014

2013

Interest Rate Swap

Escrow deposits, goodwill, and other assets, net

$

141

$

—

Interest Rate Swap

Accrued payroll and other operating expenses

$

—

$

927

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance [Table Text Block]

'

The tables below present the effect of our derivative financial instrument on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands).

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship

Amount of loss recognized

Location of loss

Amount of loss

in OCI on derivative

reclassified from

reclassified from

(effective portion)

accumulated OCI into income

accumulated OCI into

(effective portion)

income (effective

portion)

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

2014

2013

2014

2013

Interest Rate Swap

$

233

$

106

Interest Expense

$

374

$

467

The tables below present the effect of our derivative financial instrument on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands).

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship

Amount of loss recognized

Location of loss

Amount of loss

in OCI on derivative

reclassified from

reclassified from

(effective portion)

accumulated OCI into income

accumulated OCI into

(effective portion)

income (effective

portion)

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

2014

2013

2014

2013

Interest Rate Swap

$

256

$

141

Interest Expense

$

1,324

$

1,374

Deferred_RevenueRighttouse_con1

Deferred Revenue-Right-to-use contracts and Deferred commission expense (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Components of Change in Deferred Revenue-Right-to-Use Contracts and Deferred Commission Expense	'
	Components of the change in deferred revenue-right-to-use contracts and deferred commission expense are as follows (amounts in thousands):
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013
	Deferred revenue – right-to-use contracts, as of January 1,	$	68,673		$	62,979
	Deferral of new right-to-use contracts	9,956			9,899
	Deferred revenue recognized	(5,653		)	(5,453		)
	Net increase in deferred revenue	4,303			4,446
	Deferred revenue – right-to-use contracts, as of September 30,	$	72,976		$	67,425
	Deferred commission expense, as of January 1,	$	25,251		$	22,841
	Costs deferred	4,734			3,757
	Commission expense recognized	(2,100		)	(1,933		)
	Net increase in deferred commission expense	2,634			1,824
	Deferred commission expense, as of September 30,	$	27,885		$	24,665

Reportable_Segments_Reportable

Reportable Segments Reportable Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables summarize our segment financial information for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):
	Quarter Ended September 30, 2014
		Property			Home Sales			Consolidated
		Operations			and Rentals
					Operations
	Operations revenues	$	184,046		$	12,737		$	196,783
	Operations expenses	(91,715		)	(10,498		)	(102,213		)
	Income from segment operations	92,331			2,239			94,570
	Interest income	696			1,185			1,881
	Depreciation on real estate and rental homes	(25,010		)	(2,821		)	(27,831		)
	Amortization of in-place leases	(1,075		)	—			(1,075		)
	Income from operations	$	66,942		$	603		$	67,545
	Reconciliation to Consolidated net income
	Corporate interest income							21
	Income from other investments, net							1,869
	General and administrative							(7,623		)
	Interest and related amortization							(27,864		)
	Early debt retirement							(5,087		)
	Property rights initiatives							(751		)
	Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures							1,237
	Gain on sale of property							929
	Consolidated net income							$	30,276
	Total assets	$	3,170,718		$	280,430		$	3,451,148
	Quarter Ended September 30, 2013
		Property			Home Sales			Consolidated
		Operations			and Rentals
					Operations
	Operations revenues	$	174,657		$	9,224		$	183,881
	Operations expenses	(86,579		)	(7,650		)	(94,229		)
	Income from segment operations	88,078			1,574			89,652
	Interest income	856			1,216			2,072
	Depreciation on real estate and rental homes	(24,730		)	(1,730		)	(26,460		)
	Amortization of in-place leases	(485		)	—			(485		)
	Income from operations	$	63,719		$	1,060		$	64,779
	Reconciliation to Consolidated net income
	Corporate interest income							128
	Income from other investments, net							1,885
	General and administrative							(7,606		)
	Interest and related amortization							(29,206		)
	Early debt retirement							(36,530		)
	Property rights initiatives							(521		)
	Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures							439
	Discontinued operations							982
	Gain on sale of property, net of tax							40,586
	Consolidated net income							$	34,936
	Total assets	$	3,099,625		$	297,505		$	3,397,130
	The following tables summarize our segment financial information for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Property			Home Sales			Consolidated
		Operations			and Rentals
					Operations
	Operations revenues	$	540,859		$	32,558		$	573,417
	Operations expenses	(261,188		)	(26,765		)	(287,953		)
	Income from segment operations	279,671			5,793			285,464
	Interest income	2,266			3,339			5,605
	Depreciation on real estate and rental homes	(74,815		)	(8,419		)	(83,234		)
	Amortization of in-place leases	(3,791		)	—			(3,791		)
	Income from operations	$	203,331		$	713		$	204,044
	Reconciliation to Consolidated net income
	Corporate interest income							872
	Income from other investments, net							6,098
	General and administrative							(20,178		)
	Early debt retirement							(5,087		)
Interest and related amortization							(84,177		)
Property rights initiatives							(2,063		)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures							3,768
Gain on sale of property							929
Consolidated net income							$	104,206
Total assets	$	3,170,718		$	280,430		$	3,451,148
Capital improvements	$	22,111		$	19,534		$	41,645
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Property			Home Sales			Consolidated
	Operations			and Rentals
				Operations
Operations revenues	$	512,587		$	23,744		$	536,331
Operations expenses	(249,148		)	(18,688		)	(267,836		)
Income from segment operations	263,439			5,056			268,495
Interest income	2,589			3,220			5,809
Depreciation on real estate and rental homes	(76,704		)	(5,089		)	(81,793		)
Amortization of in-place leases	(803		)	—			(803		)
Income from operations	$	188,521		$	3,187		$	191,708
Reconciliation to Consolidated net income
Corporate interest income							364
Income from other investments, net							5,989
General and administrative							(21,261		)
Interest and related amortization							(89,706		)
Early debt retirement							(37,911		)
Property rights initiatives							(2,377		)
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures							1,624
Discontinued operations							7,215
Gain on sale of property, net of tax							41,544
Consolidated net income							$	97,189
Total assets	$	3,099,625		$	297,505		$	3,397,130
Capital improvements	$	17,787		$	30,784		$	48,571
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes our financial information for the Property Operations segment, specific to continuing operations, for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):
		Quarters Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenues:
	Community base rental income	$	106,967		$	103,157		$	319,514		$	305,401
	Resort base rental income	44,351			39,932			126,188			113,868
	Right-to-use annual payments	11,404			12,323			33,859			35,889
	Right-to-use contracts current period, gross	3,944			3,707			9,956			9,899
	Right-to-use contracts current period, deferred	(1,989		)	(1,856		)	(4,303		)	(4,446		)
	Utility income and other	18,581			16,224			53,070			48,694
	Ancillary services revenues, net	788			1,170			2,575			3,282
	Total property operations revenues	184,046			174,657			540,859			512,587
	Expenses:
	Property operating and maintenance	66,105			61,782			186,018			175,183
	Real estate taxes	12,263			11,584			36,905			35,873
	Sales and marketing, gross	3,018			3,842			8,118			9,536
	Sales and marketing deferred commissions, net	(757		)	(706		)	(2,022		)	(1,824		)
	Property management	11,086			10,077			32,169			30,380
	Total property operations expenses	91,715			86,579			261,188			249,148
	Income from property operations segment	$	92,331		$	88,078		$	279,671		$	263,439
	The following table summarizes our financial information for the Home Sales and Rentals Operations segment, specific to continuing operations, for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):
		Quarters Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenues:
	Gross revenue from home sales	$	8,717		$	5,415		$	20,455		$	12,328
	Brokered resale revenues, net	336			225			916			840
	Rental home income (a)	3,684			3,584			11,187			10,576
	Total revenues	12,737			9,224			32,558			23,744
	Expenses:
	Cost of home sales	8,156			5,137			19,679			11,837
	Home selling expenses	513			563			1,710			1,544
	Rental home operating and maintenance	1,829			1,950			5,376			5,307
	Total expenses	10,498			7,650			26,765			18,688
	Income from home sales and rentals operations segment	$	2,239		$	1,574		$	5,793		$	5,056
	______________________
	(a)	Segment information does not include Site rental income included in Community base rental income.

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2

Identified Intangible Assets

Identified Intangible Assets

Identified Intangible Assets

Identified Intangible Assets

New Manufactured Home [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Used Manufactured Home [Member]

Used Manufactured Home [Member]

Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year One

$349,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'25 years

'10 years

'25 years

Intangible assets and goodwill

12,100,000

'

12,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Intangible assets

4,300,000

'

4,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill

7,800,000

'

7,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated amortization of identified intangible assets

2,100,000

'

1,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization expense for identified intangible assets

3,791,000

803,000

'

'

'

100,000

100,000

300,000

300,000

'

'

'

Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash

5,000,000

'

5,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Mortgage notes payable fair value

'

'

'

2,300,000,000

2,200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated amortization for deferred financing costs

28,800,000

'

25,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two

251,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three

87,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four

87,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five

$87,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated_Amortization_of_Iden

Estimated Amortization of Identified Intangible Assets for Next Five Years (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Expected Amortization Expense [Line Items]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year One	$349
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	251
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	87
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	87
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	$87

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Calc

Earnings Per Common Share Calculation of numerator and denominator in eps table (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$30,276	($6,632)	$104,206	$48,430
Noncontrolling Interest in Net Income (Loss) Operating Partnerships, Redeemable	-2,219	-2,753	-7,929	-7,483
Net income (loss) available for Common Shares – basic	25,746	29,872	89,328	82,755
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	0	38,060	0	44,661
Amounts allocated to dilutive securities	2,219	2,753	7,929	7,483
Net income (loss) available for Common Shares – fully diluted	27,965	32,625	97,257	90,238
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding – basic	83,531	83,021	83,295	83,023
Employee stock options and restricted shares	743	634	705	620
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Conversion of Preferred Stock	7,254	7,604	7,471	7,506
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding - fully diluted	91,528	91,259	91,471	91,149
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share	$0.31	($0.10)	$1.07	$0.46
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share	$0	$0.46	$0	$0.54
Net income available for Common Shares	$0.31	$0.36	$1.07	$1
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share	$0.31	($0.10)	$1.06	$0.46
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share	$0	$0.46	$0	$0.53
Net income available for Common Shares	$0.31	$0.36	$1.06	$0.99
Cumulative Series C Six Point Seven Five Percent Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Redeemable Preferred Stock Dividends	-2,311	-2,311	-6,949	-6,951
Segment, Continuing Operations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest in Net Income (Loss) Operating Partnerships, Redeemable	-2,219	755	-7,929	-3,385
Net income (loss) available for Common Shares – basic	25,746	-8,188	89,328	38,094
Amounts allocated to dilutive securities	2,219	-755	7,929	3,385
Net income (loss) available for Common Shares – fully diluted	$27,965	($8,943)	$97,257	$41,479

Common_Stock_and_Other_Equity_1

Common Stock and Other Equity Related Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Cumulative Series C Six Point Seven Five Percent Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	30-Sep-14	30-Jun-14	31-Mar-14
Preferred Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	$0.42	$0.42	$0.42
Dividends Payable, Date of Record	19-Sep-14	20-Jun-14	21-Mar-14
Common Stock	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	10-Oct-14	11-Jul-14	11-Apr-14
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	$0.33	$0.33	$0.33
Dividends Payable, Date of Record	26-Sep-14	27-Jun-14	28-Mar-14

Investment_in_Real_Estate_Addi

Investment in Real Estate - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jul. 17, 2014

Aug. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 10, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Sep. 16, 2013

Jan. 07, 2014

Jan. 24, 2014

Dec. 17, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 29, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Oct. 01, 2014

Aug. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Aug. 01, 2013

8-May-13

Mar. 10, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Purchase Price Allocation Adjustments

Cascade [Member]

Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]

Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]

R V Resort [Member]

R V Resort [Member]

R V Resort [Member]

R V Resort [Member]

R V Resort [Member]

R V Resort [Member]

R V Resort [Member]

R V Resort [Member]

R V Resort [Member]

R V Resort [Member]

R V Resort [Member]

Manufactured Home [Member]

Manufactured Home [Member]

Manufactured Home [Member]

Manufactured Home [Member]

Manufactured Home [Member]

Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member]

Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member]

Manufactured Home [Member]

Manufactured Home [Member]

Depreciable Assets [Member]

Depreciable Assets [Member]

Land [Member]

Land [Member]

New Credit Facilities [Member]

New Credit Facilities [Member]

integer

Blackhawk Camping Resort [Member]

Lakeland Camping Resort [Member]

Neshonoc Lakeside [Member]

Diversified Portfolio [Member]

Pine Acres Resort [Member]

Echo Farm Campground [Member]

Mays Landing Resort [Member]

Auction Properties [Domain]

Subsequent Event [Member]

integer

Property

integer

Colony Cove [Member]

R V Resort [Member]

R V Resort [Member]

site

site

site

site

site

Space Coast RV Resort [Member]

site

Diversified Portfolio [Member]

site

Real Estate Properties [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment

'

'

$74,796,000

'

$74,796,000

'

'

$133,393,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$773,000

$3,910,000

$769,000

$1,155,000

$29,493,000

$87,306,000

$43,761,000

$41,022,000

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Other

'

'

1,197,000

'

1,197,000

'

'

1,025,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset acquisition price adjustments period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of RV Resorts Acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax

'

'

0

40,586,000

0

41,544,000

'

'

'

1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Escrow Share Distribution

'

'

'

'

'

'

51,290

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number Of Properties Disposed

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Sites Disposed

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,344

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase Price For Disposed Properties

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

165,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Community Base Rental Income

'

'

106,967,000

103,157,000

319,514,000

305,401,000

'

'

'

'

1,448,000

11,565,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rental Home Income

'

'

3,684,000

3,584,000

11,187,000

10,576,000

'

'

'

'

328,000

1,948,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Utility And Other Income

'

'

18,581,000

16,224,000

53,070,000

48,694,000

'

'

'

'

378,000

1,375,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue

'

'

'

2,154,000

'

14,888,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Operating Expense

'

'

'

1,116,000

'

6,039,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Operating Income (Loss)

'

'

'

1,038,000

'

8,849,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Real Estate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,000

-77,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Other Income and Expenses

'

'

'

37,000

'

334,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Interest Expense

'

'

'

-95,000

'

-355,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Depreciation and Amortization

'

'

'

0

'

-1,536,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number Of Acquired Sites

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

324

490

682

284

'

421

237

168

'

270

'

'

1,207

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Acquisition, Purchase Price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

24,600,000

'

'

'

31,800,000

'

'

'

11,800,000

6,100,000

'

'

102,000,000

'

35,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of manufactured home communities acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13,300,000

18,700,000

Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000,000

1,300,000

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Assets

'

'

75,993,000

'

75,993,000

'

'

134,418,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities

'

'

14,230,000

'

14,230,000

'

'

5,382,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities

'

'

4,193,000

'

4,193,000

'

'

1,777,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities

'

'

18,423,000

'

18,423,000

'

'

7,159,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net

'

'

57,570,000

'

57,570,000

'

'

127,259,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Units Issued During Period, Value, Acquisition

'

9,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Units Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisition

'

240,969

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gain (Loss) on Condemnation

900,000

'

929,000

0

929,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Condemnation

2,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

'

'

$0

$41,568,000

$0

$48,759,000

'

'

'

'

$982,000

$7,215,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investment_in_Joint_Ventures_A

Investment in Joint Ventures - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Apr. 19, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Jul. 14, 2014

Sep. 16, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

site

site

Arizona

Arizona

Arizona

Other Regions [Member]

Other Regions [Member]

Other Regions [Member]

Other Regions [Member]

Other Regions [Member]

Other Regions [Member]

Other Regions [Member]

Other Regions [Member]

Other Regions [Member]

Other Regions [Member]

Florida

Florida

Florida

Servicing Assets

Recreational Vehicle Resort [Member]

Other Regions [Member]

R V Resort [Member]

R V Resort [Member]

Voyager Investments

Voyager Investments

Voyager Investments

ECHO Financing [Member]

ECHO Financing [Member]

ECHO Financing [Member]

ECHO Financing [Member]

Meadows Investments

Meadows Investments

Meadows Investments

Other Investments

Other Investments

Other Investments

Lakeshore Investments

Lakeshore Investments

Lakeshore Investments

Voyager Investments

Voyager Investments

Other Investments

Auction Properties [Domain]

site

site

site

site

site

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax

$0

$40,586,000

$0

$41,544,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Acquisition, Purchase Price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

24,600,000

11,800,000

Equity income from unconsolidated joint ventures

1,237,000

439,000

3,768,000

1,624,000

'

724,000

720,000

'

28,000

33,000

'

'

1,703,000

856,000

'

25,000

-188,000

'

1,288,000

203,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Adjustment Depreciation

'

'

700,000

700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Distributions from Unconsolidated Joint Ventures, net

'

'

3,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions

'

'

2,869,000

1,251,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unconsolidated Joint Venture Distribution in Excess of Basis

'

'

2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number Of Joint Venture Sites

3,125

'

3,125

'

'

1,706

'

'

0

'

'

'

1,077

'

'

0

'

'

342

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

20.00%

'

'

65.00%

'

'

33.00%

50.00%

20.00%

'

'

Proceeds from Sale of Equity Method Investments

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures

$15,414,000

'

$15,414,000

'

$11,583,000

$7,166,000

'

$7,074,000

$6,228,000

'

$2,685,000

$1,000,000

$1,999,000

'

$1,679,000

$0

'

$0

$21,000

'

$145,000

'

'

'

'

'

Notes_Receivable_Additional_In

Notes Receivable - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Loans Receivable, Net	$19.60	$21.90
Proceeds from Collection of Loans Receivable	1	'
Contract receivables	18.4	17.2
Contract Receivable	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Receivables Weighted Average Remaining Amortization Period	'4 years	'
Provision for uncollectible receivable	0.3	0.6
Contracts Receivable, yield interest at a stated per annum average	16.00%	'
Chattel Loans	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Loans receivable, stated interest yield per annum	7.80%	'
Notes Receivable Yield Rate	22.80%	'
Receivables Weighted Average Remaining Amortization Period	'12 years	'
Notes receivable, allowance	$0.40	$0.40

Borrowing_Arrangements_Additio

Borrowing Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 02, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 02, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 02, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Rate

Property

Old Credit Facilities [Member]

Old Credit Facilities [Member]

New Credit Facilities [Member]

New Credit Facilities [Member]

Amended Line Of Credit Facility [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Term Loans

Term Loans

Term Loans

Term Loans

Term Loans

Term Loans

R V Resort [Member]

R V Resort [Member]

R V Resort [Member]

Manufactured Home [Member]

Manufactured Home [Member]

Manufactured Home [Member]

New policy [Member]

Property

Property

Property

Old Credit Facilities [Member]

New Credit Facilities [Member]

Amended Line Of Credit Facility [Member]

Old Credit Facilities [Member]

New Credit Facilities [Member]

Amended Line Of Credit Facility [Member]

Old Credit Facilities [Member]

New Credit Facilities [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

New Credit Facilities [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Old Credit Facilities [Member]

New Credit Facilities [Member]

Term Loans

Rate

Rate

Rate

Rate

Rate

Rate

Old Credit Facilities [Member]

New Credit Facilities [Member]

Old Credit Facilities [Member]

New Credit Facilities [Member]

Property

New Credit Facilities [Member]

New Credit Facilities [Member]

Property

Rate

Rate

Rate

Rate

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unsecured Debt

'

$200,000,000

'

$200,000,000

'

$200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30-Jun-17

10-Jan-20

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Mortgage notes payable

'

2,005,942,000

'

1,992,368,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate

'

5.20%

'

'

'

'

'

4.54%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments of Debt Extinguishment Costs

5,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Maturity Year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2015

'

'2034

'

'2039

'

'2038

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2017

'2018

'

'

'

'

Debt, minimum interest rate

'

3.90%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt, maximum interest rate

'

8.90%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt

'

169,000,000

347,060,000

'

'

'

115,000,000

54,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'25 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of pledge properties

'

137

'

147

16

'

'

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

2

'

Carrying values of properties encumbered

'

2,315,000,000

'

2,378,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayments of Long-term Debt

'

'

'

'

86,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

53,800,000

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

'

'

'

'

5.57%

'

'

4.64%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6.48%

'

'

'

4.65%

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, interest rate based on margin over LIBOR

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.40%

'

1.20%

'

2.00%

'

1.65%

'

'

1.85%

1.35%

2.80%

1.95%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.11%

1.04%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.35%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.39%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Maturity Years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

Lines of credit, borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

380,000,000

'

'

400,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Additional Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lines of credit, maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

15-Sep-16

'

'

17-Jul-18

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lines of credit, extension option

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit, facility rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.25%

'

0.20%

'

0.40%

'

0.35%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed1

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Other Intangible Assets [Member]

Other Intangible Assets [Member]

Accrued Liabilities [Member]

Accrued Liabilities [Member]

Old Credit Facilities [Member]

Old Credit Facilities [Member]

New Credit Facilities [Member]

New Credit Facilities [Member]

New policy [Member]

Term Loans

Term Loans

Term Loans

Rate

Rate

Derivative [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value

'

'

'

'

$141,000

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Rate Derivative Liabilities, at Fair Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

927,000

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.11%

'

1.04%

'

Derivative, Maturity Years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'3 years

Derivative, Maturity Date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Jul-14

'

1-Aug-17

'

'

Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.35%

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.39%

'

Derivative Instruments, Loss Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion

233,000

106,000

256,000

141,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net

'

'

$1,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effect_of_Derivative_Financial1

Effect of Derivative Financial Instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of loss recognized in OCI on derivative (effective portion)	$233	$106	$256	$141
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships | Interest Expense [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion)	$374	$467	$1,324	$1,374

Deferred_RevenueRighttouse_con2

Deferred Revenue-Right-to-use contracts and Deferred commission expense - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Deferred revenue - right-to-use contracts, as of January 1	'	'	$68,673	$62,979
Right-to-use contracts current period, gross	3,944	3,707	9,956	9,899
Recognition of Deferred Revenue	'	'	-5,653	-5,453
Deferred Revenue, Period Increase (Decrease)	'	'	4,303	4,446
Deferred revenue - right-to-use contracts, as of June 30	72,976	67,425	72,976	67,425
Deferred commission expense, as of January 1	'	'	25,251	22,841
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Charges	'	'	4,734	3,757
Commission expense recognized related to right-to-use contracts	'	'	-2,100	-1,933
Sales And Marketing Deferred Commissions Net	'	'	2,634	1,824
Deferred commission expense, as of June 30	$27,885	$24,665	$27,885	$24,665
Deferred Revenue Estimated Period Of Recognition	'	'	'31 years	'

Stock_Option_Plan_and_Stock_Gr1

Stock Option Plan and Stock Grants - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

31-May-14

31-May-14

13-May-14

31-May-14

31-May-14

13-May-14

31-May-14

13-May-14

31-May-14

13-May-14

31-May-14

13-May-14

Management [Member]

Director [Member]

Director [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Management [Member]

Director [Member]

Director [Member]

Director [Member]

Director [Member]

Director [Member]

Director [Member]

Director [Member]

Director [Member]

Phase One [Member]

Phase One [Member]

Phase Two [Member]

Phase Two [Member]

Phase Three [Member]

Phase Three [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of stock-related compensation

$2,600,000

$1,600,000

$4,998,000

$4,332,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

84,666

62,000

40,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Shares Authorized for Issuance

3,750,000

'

3,750,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Fair Value of Shares Issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3,600,000

$2,600,000

$1,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vesting Date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31-Dec-14

'

'

31-Dec-14

13-Nov-14

31-Dec-15

13-May-15

31-Dec-16

13-May-16

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights

'

'

'

'

'These Restricted Stock Grants will vest on December 31, 2014.

' One-third of the shares of restricted common stock covered by these awards vests on each of December 31, 2014, December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2016.

'One-third of the shares of restricted common stock covered by these awards vests on each of November 13, 2014, May 13, 2015, and May 13, 2016.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

LongTerm_Cash_Incentive_Plan_A

Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]	'	'
Accrued Long Term Incentive Plan Compensation	$1,425,000	$1,431,000
Deferred Compensation Cash-based Arrangements, Liability, Current and Noncurrent	3,300,000	'
Long Term Incentive Plan Twenty Thirteen [Member]	'	'
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated Payments For Employee Long Term Incentive Plan	$5,800,000	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2009

Jul. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Aug. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2011

Apr. 15, 2014

Apr. 15, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Attorney Fees [Member]

San Rafael [Member]

San Rafael [Member]

San Rafael [Member]

San Rafael [Member]

Colony Park [Member]

Colony Park [Member]

Colony Park [Member]

Compensatory Damages [Member]

Punitive Damages [Member]

California Hawaiian [Member]

California Rent Control Litigation

Attorney Fees [Member]

Attorney Fees [Member]

integer

Maximum [Member]

Attorney Fees [Member]

Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Award for costs and attorney fee claimed

'

$2,100,000

$1,270,000

'

$80,000

$1,250,000

'

'

$2,000,000

'

'

'

Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,300,000

95,800,000

'

Expiration period of Ordinance from June 30, 2009 date of judgment

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss award claimed by plaintiffs

'

'

'

1,400,000

'

'

6,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

Loss awarded to plaintiffs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

44,000

'

'

'

'

Number of plaintiff

'

'

'

'

'

'

72

'

'

'

'

'

Number of plaintiff the jury rendered verdicts

'

'

'

'

'

'

6

'

'

'

'

'

Number of plaintiffs dismissed

'

'

'

'

'

'

66

'

'

'

'

'

Loss Contingency Claims Dismissed And Not Appealed Number

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss

' zero and approximately $111.1 million based on all of the facts presented.  At this time, we cannot determine that any amount within the range is a better estimate and therefore we conclude that we should accrue the minimum of zero

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

111,100,000

Loss Contingency Accrual

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

Reportable_Segments_Additional

Reportable Segments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 17, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total property operations expenses	'	$172,444	$195,037	$486,483	$501,687	'
Revenue for Reportable Segment	'	196,783	183,881	573,417	536,331	'
Operating Costs and Expenses	'	102,213	94,229	287,953	267,836	'
Operating Income Loss Before Depreciation And Other	'	94,570	89,652	285,464	268,495	'
Interest Income	'	1,881	2,072	5,605	5,809	'
Real Estate Depreciation Expense and Rental Homes	'	-27,831	-26,460	-83,234	-81,793	'
Amortization of Intangible Assets for Continuing Operations	'	-1,075	-485	-3,791	-803	'
Operating Income (Loss)	'	67,545	64,779	204,044	191,708	'
Major customers description	'	'	'	'All revenues are from external customers and there is no customer who contributed 10% or more of our total revenues during the quarters or nine months ended September 30, 2014 or 2013.	'	'
Corporate Interest Income	'	21	128	872	364	'
Income from other investments, net	'	1,869	1,885	6,098	5,989	'
General and Administrative Expense	'	-7,623	-7,606	-20,178	-21,261	'
Interest Expense, Debt	'	-27,864	-29,206	-84,177	-89,706	'
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	'	-5,087	-36,530	-5,087	-37,911	'
Rent Control Initiatives Expenses and Other	'	-751	-521	-2,063	-2,377	'
Equity income from unconsolidated joint ventures	'	1,237	439	3,768	1,624	'
Gain (Loss) on Condemnation	900	929	0	929	0	'
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation During Phase-out Period, Net of Tax	'	0	982	0	7,215	'
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax	'	0	40,586	0	41,544	'
Consolidated net income	'	30,276	34,936	104,206	97,189	'
Total Assets	'	3,451,148	3,397,130	3,451,148	3,397,130	3,392,309
Capital improvements	'	'	'	41,645	48,571	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	'	'	'	2	'	'
Property Operations Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total property operations expenses	'	91,715	86,579	261,188	249,148	'
Revenue for Reportable Segment	'	184,046	174,657	540,859	512,587	'
Operating Costs and Expenses	'	91,715	86,579	261,188	249,148	'
Operating Income Loss Before Depreciation And Other	'	92,331	88,078	279,671	263,439	'
Interest Income	'	696	856	2,266	2,589	'
Real Estate Depreciation Expense and Rental Homes	'	-25,010	-24,730	-74,815	-76,704	'
Amortization of Intangible Assets for Continuing Operations	'	-1,075	-485	-3,791	-803	'
Operating Income (Loss)	'	66,942	63,719	203,331	188,521	'
Total Assets	'	3,170,718	3,099,625	3,170,718	3,099,625	'
Capital improvements	'	'	'	22,111	17,787	'
Home Sales And Rentals [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total property operations expenses	'	10,498	7,650	26,765	18,688	'
Revenue for Reportable Segment	'	12,737	9,224	32,558	23,744	'
Operating Costs and Expenses	'	10,498	7,650	26,765	18,688	'
Operating Income Loss Before Depreciation And Other	'	2,239	1,574	5,793	5,056	'
Interest Income	'	1,185	1,216	3,339	3,220	'
Real Estate Depreciation Expense and Rental Homes	'	-2,821	-1,730	-8,419	-5,089	'
Amortization of Intangible Assets for Continuing Operations	'	0	0	0	0	'
Operating Income (Loss)	'	603	1,060	713	3,187	'
Total Assets	'	280,430	297,505	280,430	297,505	'
Capital improvements	'	'	'	$19,534	$30,784	'

Financial_Information_for_Oper

Financial Information for Operation Segments (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 17, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Condemnation	$900	$929	$0	$929	$0	'
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	'	5,087	36,530	5,087	37,911	'
Assets	'	3,451,148	3,397,130	3,451,148	3,397,130	3,392,309
Capital improvements	'	'	'	41,645	48,571	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Community base rental income	'	106,967	103,157	319,514	305,401	'
Resort base rental income	'	44,351	39,932	126,188	113,868	'
Right-to-use annual payments	'	11,404	12,323	33,859	35,889	'
Right-to-use contracts current period, gross	'	3,944	3,707	9,956	9,899	'
Right-to-use contracts current period, deferred	'	-1,989	-1,856	-4,303	-4,446	'
Utility And Other Income	'	18,581	16,224	53,070	48,694	'
Gross revenue from home sales	'	8,717	5,415	20,455	12,328	'
Brokered resale revenues, net	'	1,124	1,395	3,491	4,122	'
Rental home income	'	3,684	3,584	11,187	10,576	'
Total revenues	'	200,554	187,966	585,992	548,493	'
Expenses:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Property operating and maintenance	'	66,105	61,782	186,018	175,183	'
Real estate taxes	'	12,263	11,584	36,905	35,873	'
Sales and marketing, gross	'	3,018	3,842	8,118	9,536	'
Sales and marketing, deferred commissions, net	'	-757	-706	-2,022	-1,824	'
Property management	'	11,086	10,077	32,169	30,380	'
Cost of home sales	'	8,156	5,137	19,679	11,837	'
Home selling expenses	'	513	563	1,710	1,544	'
Rental home operating and maintenance	'	1,829	1,950	5,376	5,307	'
Income from operations	'	28,110	-7,071	99,509	46,806	'
Property Operations Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	3,170,718	3,099,625	3,170,718	3,099,625	'
Capital improvements	'	'	'	22,111	17,787	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Community base rental income	'	106,967	103,157	319,514	305,401	'
Resort base rental income	'	44,351	39,932	126,188	113,868	'
Right-to-use annual payments	'	11,404	12,323	33,859	35,889	'
Right-to-use contracts current period, gross	'	3,944	3,707	9,956	9,899	'
Right-to-use contracts current period, deferred	'	-1,989	-1,856	-4,303	-4,446	'
Utility And Other Income	'	18,581	16,224	53,070	48,694	'
Ancillary services revenues, net	'	788	1,170	2,575	3,282	'
Total revenues	'	184,046	174,657	540,859	512,587	'
Expenses:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Property operating and maintenance	'	66,105	61,782	186,018	175,183	'
Real estate taxes	'	12,263	11,584	36,905	35,873	'
Sales and marketing, gross	'	3,018	3,842	8,118	9,536	'
Sales and marketing, deferred commissions, net	'	-757	-706	-2,022	-1,824	'
Property management	'	11,086	10,077	32,169	30,380	'
Income from operations	'	92,331	88,078	279,671	263,439	'
Home Sales and Rentals Operations segment	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	280,430	297,505	280,430	297,505	'
Capital improvements	'	'	'	19,534	30,784	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross revenue from home sales	'	8,717	5,415	20,455	12,328	'
Brokered resale revenues, net	'	336	225	916	840	'
Rental home income	'	3,684	3,584	11,187	10,576	'
Total revenues	'	12,737	9,224	32,558	23,744	'
Expenses:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cost of home sales	'	8,156	5,137	19,679	11,837	'
Home selling expenses	'	513	563	1,710	1,544	'
Rental home operating and maintenance	'	1,829	1,950	5,376	5,307	'
Income from operations	'	$2,239	$1,574	$5,793	$5,056	'