Sun Communities (SUI) 10-Q 23 Apr 20 2020 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 16, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-12616
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	SUI
Entity Registrant Name	SUN COMMUNITIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000912593
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		93,307,207
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Tax Identification Number	38-2730780
Entity Address, Address Line One	27777 Franklin Rd,
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 200,
Entity Address, City or Town	Southfield,
Entity Address, State or Province	MI
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	48034
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
City Area Code	248
Local Phone Number	208-2500

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
ASSETS
Land	$ 1,418,985	$ 1,414,279
Land improvements and buildings	6,697,376	6,595,272
Rental homes and improvements	640,709	627,175
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	285,922	282,874
Investment property	9,042,992	8,919,600
Accumulated depreciation	(1,754,591)	(1,686,980)
Investment property, net (including $350,019 and $344,300 for consolidated VIEs at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019; see Note 7)	7,288,401	7,232,620
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	394,740	34,830
Marketable securities	55,602	94,727
Inventory of manufactured homes	64,436	62,061
Notes and other receivables, net	186,692	157,926
Other assets, net (including $23,751 and $23,894 for consolidated VIEs at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019; see Note 7)	219,176	219,896
Total Assets	8,209,047	7,802,060
LIABILITIES
Mortgage loans payable (including $46,727 and $46,993 for consolidated VIEs at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019; see Note 7)	3,273,808	3,180,592
Lines of credit	582,774	183,898
Distributions payable	75,636	71,704
Customer Advances and Deposits	151,144	133,420
Accounts Payable	110,512	127,289
Other liabilities (including $19,604 and $13,631 for consolidated VIEs at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019; see Note 7)	82,341	81,289
Total Liabilities	4,346,127	3,848,104
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Common, Carrying Amount	26,063	27,091
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized: 180,000 shares; Issued and outstanding: 93,327 March 31, 2020 and 93,180 December 31, 2019	933	932
Additional paid-in capital	5,211,678	5,213,264
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(8,325)	(1,331)
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(1,479,424)	(1,393,141)
Total Sun Communities, Inc. stockholders' equity	3,724,862	3,819,724
Noncontrolling interests:
Common and preferred OP units	52,234	47,686
Consolidated VIEs	9,374	8,542
Total noncontrolling interests	61,608	56,228
Total Stockholders' Equity	3,786,470	3,875,952
Total Liabilities, Temporary Equity and Stockholders' Equity	8,209,047	7,802,060
Series D Preferred OP Units
LIABILITIES
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Preferred, Carrying Amount	50,387	50,913
Preferred Equity, Mandatorily Redeemable [Member]
LIABILITIES
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	35,249	35,249
Aspen Series B3 Preferred Operating Partnership Units [Member]
LIABILITIES
Mortgage loans payable (including $46,727 and $46,993 for consolidated VIEs at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019; see Note 7)	34,663
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	$ 34,663	$ 34,663

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Investment property, net	$ 7,288,401	$ 7,232,620
Other assets	219,176	219,896
Secured debt	3,273,808	3,180,592
Other liabilities	$ 82,341	$ 81,289
Shares outstanding		488,958
Common Stock, Par Value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	180,000,000	180,000,000
Common Stock, Shares Issued	90,690,000	86,357,000
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	93,327,000	93,180,000
Series A-4 Preferred Stock
Series A-4 Preferred Stock, Par Value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Series A-4 Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	0	0
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Investment property, net	$ 350,019	$ 344,300
Other assets	23,751	23,894
Secured debt	46,727	46,993
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	35,249	35,249
Other liabilities	$ 19,604	$ 13,631

Consolidated Statements Of Oper

Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
REVENUES
Income from real property	$ 237,785	$ 215,083
Revenue from home sales	40,587	39,618
Rental home revenue	15,472	13,971
Ancillary revenue	10,195	10,178
Interest income	2,350	4,800
Brokerage commissions and other revenues, net	3,913	3,680
Total Revenues	310,302	287,330
Expenses
Real estate taxes	17,176	15,330
Property operating and maintenance	64,057	57,909
Cost of home sales	30,032	29,277
Rental home operating and maintenance	5,494	4,832
Ancillary expenses	7,482	7,101
Home selling expenses	3,992	3,324
General and administrative expenses	25,517	21,887
Catastrophic weather-related charges, net	606	782
Depreciation and amortization	83,689	76,556
Loss on extinguishment of debt	3,279	653
Interest expense	32,416	34,014
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity	1,041	1,094
Total Expenses	274,781	252,759
Income Before Other Items	35,521	34,571
Gain / (loss) on remeasurement of marketable securities (see Note 14)	(28,647)	267
Gain / (loss) on foreign currency translation	(17,479)	1,965
Other expense, net	(302)	(67)
Loss on remeasurement of notes receivable (see Note 4)	(2,112)	0
Current tax expense	(450)	(214)
Loss on remeasurement of investment in nonconsolidated affiliates (see Note 6)	(2,191)	0
Deferred tax benefit	130	217
Net Income / (Loss)	(15,478)	37,127
Less: Preferred return to preferred OP units / equity	1,570	1,323
Less: Income / (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(962)	1,041
Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	(16,086)	34,763
Less: Preferred stock distribution	0	432
Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. Common Stockholders	$ (16,086)	$ 34,331
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	92,410	85,520
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	92,935	86,033
Earnings per share:
Basic earnings / (loss) per share (see Note 13)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.40
Diluted earnings / (loss) per share (see Note 13)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.40
Distributions from Affiliate	$ 52	$ 388

Consolidated Statements Of Comp

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income / (Loss)	$ (15,478)	$ 37,127
Foreign currency translation gain / (loss) adjustment	7,300	1,575
Total Comprehensive Income / (Loss)	(22,778)	38,702
Less: Comprehensive Income / (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,268	(1,118)
Comprehensive Income / (Loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	$ (21,510)	$ 37,584

Consolidated Statements Of Cash

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities	$ 118,513,000	$ 103,141,000
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in properties	(132,759,000)	(114,804,000)
Acquisitions of properties, net of cash acquired	(24,439,000)	(279,302,000)
Proceeds from dispositions of assets and depreciated homes, net	12,612,000	11,788,000
Issuance of notes and other receivables	(19,903,000)	0
Repayments of notes and other receivables	854,000	1,030,000
Repayments of notes and other receivables	(6,970,000)	(11,416,000)
Distributions from nonconsolidated affiliates	1,275,000	221,000
Net Cash Used For Investing Activities	(169,330,000)	(392,483,000)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance of common stock, OP units, and preferred OP units, net	(7,140,000)	(4,321,000)
Borrowings on lines of credit	1,163,965,000	1,428,948,000
Payments on lines of credit	(763,076,000)	(1,160,436,000)
Proceeds from issuance of other debt	230,000,000	265,000,000
Payments on other debt	(134,203,000)	(200,892,000)
Prepayment penalty on collateralized term loans	(3,250,000)	0
Distributions to stockholders, OP unit holders, and preferred OP unit holders	(71,859,000)	(65,145,000)
Payments for deferred financing costs	(3,328,000)	(1,000,000)
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities	411,109,000	261,097,000
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(382,000)	158,000
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	359,910,000	(28,087,000)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	34,830,000	62,262,000	$ 62,262,000
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, End of Period	394,740,000	34,175,000	34,830,000
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest (net of capitalized interest of $2,258, $1,357 respectively)	32,464,000	32,711,000
Cash paid for interest on mandatorily redeemable debt	1,041,000	1,094,000
Cash paid (refunds) for income taxes	75,000	(60,000)
Noncash investing and financing activities
Reduction in secured borrowing balance	0	5,055,000
Change in distributions declared and outstanding	4,787,000	3,536,000
Conversion of common and preferred OP units	446,000	280,000
Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition, Noncash Financial Or Equity Instrument Consideration, Escrow		4,035,000	$ 0
Series D Preferred Stock [Member]
Noncash investing and financing activities
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues, Series A-4 Preferred OP Units	0	51,930,000
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities	0	1,618,000
Series B-3 Preferred OP Units [Member]
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Redemption of Series A-4 preferred stock and OP units	0	(2,675,000)
Series E Preferred OP Units [Domain]
Noncash investing and financing activities
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues, Series A-4 Preferred OP Units	$ 9,000,000	$ 0

Consolidated Statements Of Ca_2

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Capitalized interest		$ 3,216

Consolidated Statement Of Stock

Consolidated Statement Of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Temporary Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Distributions in Excess of Accumulated Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Non-controlling Interests	Total Stockholders’ Equity
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2018		$ 63,592
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Equity Interests		256
Issuance of Series D OP units		51,930
Net income (loss)		178
Distributions		(528)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2019		115,428
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2018		3,230,914	$ 864	$ 4,398,949	$ (1,288,486)	$ (4,504)	$ 60,499	$ 3,167,322
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock and common OP units, net		(4,321)	1	(4,322)				(4,321)
Conversion of OP units		0		(280)			280
Equity interests					65		191	256
Share-based compensation - amortization and forfeitures	$ 3,793	3,793		3,719	74
Change in carrying value of temporary equity	1,575	(51,930)
Foreign currency translation	1,575	1,575				1,498	77
Net income (loss)	34,763	37,127			36,086		863	36,949
Distributions		(68,681)		15	(65,214)		(2,954)	(68,153)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2019		3,252,337	865	4,398,641	(1,317,605)	(3,006)	58,014	3,136,909
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2019		78,004
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Equity Interests		98
Net income (loss)		(1,195)
Distributions		(457)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2020		76,450
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	3,875,952	3,953,956	932	5,213,264	(1,393,141)	(1,331)	56,228	3,875,952
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock and common OP units, net		(7,140)	1	(7,141)				(7,140)
Conversion of OP units				(446)			446
Equity interests		(13)			85			85
Share-based compensation - amortization and forfeitures		5,021		4,928	93			5,021
Change in carrying value of temporary equity	7,300	(9,000)		(181)			(8,819)	(9,000)
Foreign currency translation		(7,300)				(6,994)	(306)	(7,300)
Remeasurement of notes receivable and equity method investment		1,953			1,953			1,953
Net income (loss)	(16,086)	(15,478)			(14,514)		231	(14,283)
Distributions		(77,105)			(73,730)		(2,918)	(76,648)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	$ 3,786,470	$ 3,862,920	$ 933	$ 5,211,678	$ (1,479,424)	$ (8,325)	$ 61,608	$ 3,786,470

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation Sun Communities, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and all wholly-owned or majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries, including Sun Communities Operating Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”) and Sun Home Services, Inc. (“SHS”) are referred to herein as the “Company,” “us,” “we,” and “our.” We follow accounting standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). FASB sets generally accepted accounting principles (“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 (“ASC”). These unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information and in accordance with GAAP. We present interim disclosures and certain information and footnote disclosures as required by SEC rules and regulations. Accordingly, the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, including adjustments of a normal and recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the interim financial statements. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements in order to conform to current period presentation. Estimates inherent in the current financial reporting process inevitably involve assumptions about future events. Since December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus, referred to as the COVID-19 virus, has spread to countries in which we operate. COVID-19 has become a global pandemic. Commencing in March 2020, authorities in jurisdictions where our properties are located have issued stay-at-home orders and restrictions on travel and the types of businesses that may continue to operate. Our property site count consists of 66 percent manufactured housing (“MH”) for residents and 34 percent recreational vehicle (“RV”) for guests. As many RV resorts remain closed and unable to generate revenue and as the pandemic may adversely affect our revenues in our MH communities, the extent and duration of the stay-at-home order will have an effect on estimates used in the preparation of financial statements. This includes the net operating income (“NOI”) assumptions in our long-lived asset impairment testing, the ultimate collectability of rent payments from residents and guests due to the effects of COVID-19 on their financial position, and fair value measurement changes for financial assets that the Company has elected to measure at fair value. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. These unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 as filed with the SEC on February 20, 2020 (the “ 2019 Annual Report”). These statements have been prepared on a basis that is substantially consistent with the accounting principles applied in our 2019 Annual Report.

Revenue

Revenue	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue	Revenue Disaggregation of Revenue The following tables details our revenue by major source (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Revenues Income from real property $ 237,785 $ — $ 237,785 $ 215,083 $ — $ 215,083 Revenue from home sales — 40,587 40,587 — 39,618 39,618 Rental home revenue — 15,472 15,472 — 13,971 13,971 Ancillary revenue 10,195 — 10,195 10,178 — 10,178 Interest income 2,350 — 2,350 4,800 — 4,800 Brokerage commissions and other revenues, net 3,913 — 3,913 3,680 — 3,680 Total Revenues $ 254,243 $ 56,059 $ 310,302 $ 233,741 $ 53,589 $ 287,330 Revenue Recognition Policies and Performance Obligations On January 1, 2018, we adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09 “ Revenue from Contracts with Customers ” and the other related ASUs and amendments to the codification (collectively “ASC 606”). The core principle of ASC 606 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. A five-step transactional analysis is required to determine how and when to recognize revenue. ASC 606 applies to all contracts with customers, except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB accounting standards codification. As a real estate owner and operator, the majority of our revenue is derived from site and home leases that are accounted for pursuant to ASC 842 “ Leases .” For transactions in the scope of ASC 606, we recognize revenue when control of goods or services transfers to the customer, in the amount that we expect to receive for the transfer of goods or provision of services. The adoption of ASC 606 did not result in any change to the timing and pattern of revenue recognition. Accordingly, retrospective application to prior periods or a cumulative catch-up adjustment was unnecessary. Income from real property - Residents in our communities lease the site on which their home is located, and either own or lease their home. Resident leases are generally for one-year or month-to-month terms and are renewable by mutual agreement between us and the resident, or in some cases, as provided by jurisdictional statute. Lease revenues for sites and homes fall under the scope of ASC 842, and are accounted for as operating leases with straight-line recognition. Income from real property includes income from site leases for annual MH residents, site leases for annual RV residents and site rentals to transient RV residents. Non-lease components of our site lease contracts, which are primarily provision of utility services, are accounted for with the site lease as a single lease under ASC 842. Additionally, we include collections of real estate taxes from residents within Income from real property. Revenue from home sales - Our taxable REIT subsidiary, SHS, sells manufactured homes to current and prospective residents in our communities. Prior to adoption of ASC 606, we recognized revenue for home sales pursuant to ASC 605 “ Revenue Recognition, ” as manufactured homes are tangible personal property that can be located on any land parcel. Manufactured homes are not permanent fixtures or improvements to the underlying real estate and were therefore not considered to be subject to the guidance in ASC 360-20 “ Real Estate Sales ” by the Company. In accordance with the core principle of ASC 606, we recognize revenue from home sales at the time of closing when control of the home transfers to the customer. After closing of the sale transaction, we have no remaining performance obligation. As of March 31, 2020 , and December 31, 2019 , we had $ 27.6 million and $ 20.9 million, respectively, of receivables from contracts with customers, which consists of home sales proceeds, and are presented as a component of Notes and other receivables, net on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These receivables represent balances owed to us for previously completed performance obligations for sales of manufactured homes. Rental home revenue - is comprised of rental agreements whereby we lease homes to residents in our communities. We account for these revenues under ASC 842. Ancillary revenue - is primarily composed of proceeds from restaurant, golf, merchandise and other activities at our RV communities and is included in the scope of ASC 606. Revenues are recognized at point of sale when control of the good or service transfers to the customer and our performance obligation is satisfied. In addition, leasing of short-term vacation home rentals is included within Ancillary revenue and falls within the scope of ASC 842. Sales and other taxes that we collect concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from the transaction price. Interest income - is earned primarily on our notes receivable, which include installment notes receivables on manufactured homes purchased by the Company from loan originators. Interest income on these receivables is accrued based on the unpaid principal balances of the underlying loans on a level yield basis over the life of the loans. Interest income is not in the scope of ASC 606. Refer to Note 4, “Notes and Other Receivables” for additional information. Broker commissions and other revenues, net - is primarily comprised of brokerage commissions for sales of manufactured homes, where we act as agent and arrange for a third party to transfer a manufactured home to a customer within one of our communities. Brokerage commission revenues are recognized on a net basis at closing, when the transaction is completed and our performance obligations have been fulfilled. Loan loss reserve expenses for our notes receivable are also included herein. Refer to Note 4, “Notes and Other Receivables” for additional information regarding our loan loss reserves.

Real Estate Acquisitions

Real Estate Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Real Estate Acquisitions	Real Estate Acquisitions 2020 Acquisitions Communities For the three months ended March 31, 2020 , we acquired the following communities: Community Name Type Sites Development Sites State Month Acquired Cape Cod (1) RV 230 — MA January Jellystone Natural Bridge RV 299 — VA February Total 529 — (1) In conjunction with the acquisition, we issued Series E Preferred Operating Partnership (“OP”) Units. As of March 31, 2020, 90,000 Series E Preferred OP Units were outstanding. The following table summarizes the amounts of assets acquired net of liabilities assumed at the acquisition date and the consideration paid for the acquisitions completed for the three months ended March 31, 2020 (in thousands): At Acquisition Date Consideration Investment in property In-place leases and other intangible assets Other assets (liabilities), net Total identifiable assets acquired net of liabilities assumed Cash and escrow Temporary and permanent equity Total consideration Cape Cod $ 13,350 $ 150 $ (295 ) $ 13,205 $ 4,205 $ 9,000 $ 13,205 Jellystone Natural Bridge 11,364 80 (391 ) 11,053 11,053 — 11,053 Total $ 24,714 $ 230 $ (686 ) $ 24,258 $ 15,258 $ 9,000 $ 24,258 As of March 31, 2020 , we have incurred $ 0.9 million of additional capitalized transaction costs which have been allocated among the various categories above. The total amount of revenues and net income included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 related to the acquisitions completed in 2020 are set forth in the following table (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Total revenues $ 92 Net loss $ (106 ) The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the results of our operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , as if the properties acquired in 2020 had been acquired on January 1, 2019 . The unaudited pro forma results reflect certain adjustments for items that are not expected to have a continuing impact, such as adjustments for transaction costs incurred, management fees, and purchase accounting. The information presented below has been prepared for comparative purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of either future results of operations or the results of operations that would have actually occurred had the acquisition been consummated on January 1, 2019 (in thousands, except per-share data): Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 Total revenues $ 310,711 $ 288,136 Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders $ (14,776 ) $ 40,078 Net income / (loss) per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic $ (0.16 ) $ 0.47 Net income / (loss) per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted $ (0.16 ) $ 0.47 2019 Acquisitions For the year ended December 31, 2019 we acquired the following communities: Community Name Type Sites Development Sites State Month Acquired Slickrock Campground RV 193 — UT December Pandion Ridge RV 142 351 AL November Jensen Portfolio (1) MH 5,230 466 Various October Glen Ellis RV 244 40 NH September Leisure Point Resort (2) MH / RV 502 — DE September Reunion Lake RV 202 69 LA July River Plantation RV 309 — TN May Massey’s Landing RV RV 291 — DE February Shelby Properties (3) MH 1,308 — MI February Buena Vista MH 400 — AZ February Country Village Estates (4) MH 518 — OR January Hid’n Pines RV RV 321 — ME January Hacienda del Rio MH (Age-Restricted) 730 — FL January Total 10,390 926 (1) Contains 31 communities located in CT, GA, MD, NH, NJ, NY, NC and SC. In conjunction with the acquisition, we issued 1,972,876 shares of common stock, net of fractional shares paid in cash. (2) Contains 201 MH sites and 301 RV sites. (3) Contains two MH communities. (4) In conjunction with the acquisition, we issued Series D Preferred Operating Partnership (“OP”) Units. As of December 31, 2019, 488,958 Series D Preferred OP Units were outstanding. The following table summarizes the amounts of assets acquired net of liabilities assumed at the acquisition date and the consideration paid for the acquisitions completed in 2019 (in thousands): At Acquisition Date Consideration Investment in property Inventory of manufactured homes In-place leases and other intangible assets Other assets (liabilities), net Total identifiable assets acquired net of liabilities assumed Cash and escrow Debt assumed Temporary and permanent equity Total consideration Slickrock Campground $ 8,250 $ — $ — $ 8 $ 8,258 $ 8,258 $ — $ — $ 8,258 Pandion Ridge 19,070 — — (92 ) 18,978 18,978 — — 18,978 Jensen Portfolio 374,402 3,605 7,752 3,938 389,697 18,306 58,000 313,391 389,697 Glen Ellis 5,955 — — (79 ) 5,876 1,976 3,900 — 5,876 Leisure Point Resort 43,632 18 850 (678 ) 43,822 43,822 — — 43,822 Reunion Lake 23,493 — — (1,153 ) 22,340 22,340 — — 22,340 River Plantation 22,589 75 — — 22,664 22,664 — — 22,664 Massey's Landing 36,250 — 220 (446 ) 36,024 36,024 — — 36,024 Shelby Properties 85,969 2,011 6,520 (1,015 ) 93,485 93,485 — — 93,485 Buena Vista 20,221 439 1,590 (93 ) 22,157 22,157 — — 22,157 Country Village 62,784 — 2,020 31 64,835 12,905 — 51,930 64,835 Hid'n Pines 10,680 — 70 (233 ) 10,517 10,517 — — 10,517 Hacienda del Rio 111,971 15 3,280 (237 ) 115,029 115,029 — — 115,029 Total $ 825,266 $ 6,163 $ 22,302 $ (49 ) $ 853,682 $ 426,461 $ 61,900 $ 365,321 $ 853,682 Land for Expansion / Development During the year ended December 31, 2019, we acquired four land parcels which are located in New Braunfels, Texas; Petoskey, Michigan; Uhland, Texas and Hudson, Florida for total consideration of $7.7 million . Two of the land parcels are adjacent to existing communities. The land acquired for expansion and development has the potential to add approximately 900 usable sites once constructed. Ground Leases In August 2019, we acquired Chincoteague Island KOA RV Resort (“Chincoteague”), in Chincoteague Island, Virginia for total consideration of $ 19.5 million. The sellers of Chincoteague continue to operate the property. Refer to Note 16, “Leases” for disclosures on accounting treatment. In April 2019, we acquired Strafford/Lake Winnipesaukee South KOA RV Resort ("Strafford") in Strafford, New Hampshire for total consideration of $ 2.7 million. The sellers of Strafford continue to operate the property. Refer to Note 16, “Leases” for disclosures on accounting treatment. In March 2019, we entered into a four-year Temporary Occupancy and Use Permit with the Port of San Diego to operate a RV resort located in Chula Vista, CA until such time as we construct a new RV resort in the area. Concurrent with the transaction, we purchased tangible personal property from the prior owner of the RV resort for $ 0.3

Notes And Other Receivables

Notes And Other Receivables	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Long-term Notes and Loans, by Type, Current and Noncurrent [Abstract]
Notes And Other Receivables	Notes and Other Receivables The following table sets forth certain information regarding notes and other receivables (in millions): March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net $ 92.2 $ 95.6 Notes receivable from real estate developers 37.5 19.0 Other receivables, net 57.0 43.3 Total Notes and Other Receivables, net $ 186.7 $ 157.9 Installment Notes Receivable on Manufactured Homes Due to the adoption of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, effective January 1, 2020, installment notes receivable are measured at fair value pursuant to the Company electing the value option. The balances of installment notes receivable of $92.2 million (net of fair value adjustment of $1.1 million ) and $95.6 million (net of allowance of $0.6 million ) as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , respectively, are collateralized by manufactured homes. The notes represent financing to purchasers of manufactured homes primarily located in our communities and require monthly principal and interest payments. The notes had a net weighted average interest rate (net of servicing costs) and maturity of 8.0 percent and 15.6 years as of March 31, 2020 , and 8.0 percent and 15.8 years as of December 31, 2019 , respectively. Refer to Note 14, “Fair Value of Financial instruments.” and Note 17, “Recent Accounting Pronouncement.” for additional detail. The change in the aggregate balance of the installment notes receivable is as follows (in millions): Three Months Ended Year Ended March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Beginning balance of gross installment notes receivable $ 96.2 $ 113.5 Financed sale of manufactured homes 0.3 0.3 Principal payments and payoffs from our customers (2.0 ) (8.7 ) Principal reduction from repossessed homes (1.2 ) (8.9 ) Ending balance of gross installment notes receivable 93.3 96.2 Beginning balance of allowance for losses on installment notes receivables (0.6 ) (0.7 ) Adjustment to allowance for losses — 0.1 Initial fair value option adjustment (see Note 17) 0.6 — Ending balance of allowance for losses on installment notes receivables — (0.6 ) Initial fair value option adjustment (see Note 17) 1.0 — Fair value adjustment (2.1 ) — Fair value adjustments on gross installment notes receivable (1.1 ) — Ending balance of installment notes receivable, net $ 92.2 $ 95.6 Notes Receivable from Real Estate Developers As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , the notes receivable balances of $37.5 million and $19.0 million , respectively, primarily comprise short term construction loans provided to real estate developers. The carrying values of those notes generally approximate their fair market values either due to the short-term nature of the loan and/or or the note being secured by underlying collateral and/or personal guarantees. The notes receivable from real estate developers have a net weighted average interest rate and maturity of 6.1 percent and 1.7 years as of March 31, 2020, and 7.0 percent and 1.3 years as of December 31, 2019, respectively. Refer to Note 14, “Fair Value of Financial instruments.” and Note 17, “Recent Accounting Pronouncement.” for additional detail. Other Receivables As of March 31, 2020 , other receivables were comprised of amounts due from: residents for rent, utility charges, fees and other pass through charges of $16.0 million (net of allowance of $1.8 million ); home sale proceeds of $27.6 million ; insurance receivables of $8.0 million , and other receivables of $5.5 million . As of December 31, 2019 , other receivables were comprised of amounts due from: residents for rent, utility charges, fees and other pass through charges of $7.8 million (net of allowance of $2.2 million ); home sale proceeds of $20.9 million ; insurance and other receivables of $9.9 million , and other receivables of $4.8 million .

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	Intangible Assets Our intangible assets include in-place leases, franchise agreements and other intangible assets. These intangible assets are recorded in Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 842, below market leases are now classified as a right of use asset. The gross carrying amounts, and accumulated amortization are as follows (in thousands): March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Intangible Asset Useful Life Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization In-place leases 7 years $ 127,148 $ (77,999 ) $ 127,313 $ (74,548 ) Franchise agreements and other intangible assets 7 - 20 years 16,944 (2,965 ) 16,943 (2,760 ) Total $ 144,092 $ (80,964 ) $ 144,256 $ (77,308 ) Total amortization expense related to the intangible assets are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Intangible Asset Amortization Expense March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 In-place leases $ 3,451 $ 3,672 Franchise fees and other intangible assets 205 205 Total $ 3,656 $ 3,877 We anticipate amortization expense for our intangible assets to be as follows for the next five years (in thousands): Year Remainder 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Estimated expense $ 11,665 $ 15,164 $ 10,562 $ 7,187 $ 4,825

Investment In Affiliates

Investment In Affiliates	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investment In Affiliates	Investments in joint ventures that are not consolidated, nor recorded at cost, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting as prescribed in FASB ASC Topic 323, “Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures.” Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates are recorded within Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Equity income and loss are recorded in the Income / (loss) from nonconsolidated affiliates on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. RezPlot Systems LLC (“Rezplot”) At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , we had a 50 percent ownership interest in RezPlot, a RV reservation software technology company, acquired in January 2019. Sungenia JV At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , we had a 50 percent interest in Sungenia JV, a joint venture (“JV”) formed between the Company and Ingenia Communities Group in November 2018, to establish and grow a manufactured housing community development program in Australia. GTSC LLC ( “GTSC” ) At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , we had a 40 percent ownership interest in GTSC, which engages in acquiring, holding and selling loans secured, directly or indirectly, by manufactured homes located in our communities. Origen Financial Services, LLC (“OFS LLC”) At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , we had a 22.9 percent ownership interest in OFS LLC, an end-to-end online resident screening and document management suite. SV Lift, LLC (“SV Lift”) In November 2019, we and HG GIV, LLC formed SV Lift, a Michigan limited liability company with the purpose to own, operate and lease an aircraft. At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had a 50 percent ownership interest in SV Lift. The investment balance in each nonconsolidated affiliate is as follows (in thousands): Investment March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Investment in RezPlot $ 3,684 $ 4,184 Investment in Sungenia JV 11,576 11,995 Investment in GTSC 19,028 18,488 Investment in OFS LLC 186 148 Investment in SV Lift 3,470 2,961 Total $ 37,944 $ 37,776 The income / (loss) from each nonconsolidated affiliate is as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Income / (Loss) from Nonconsolidated Affiliates March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 RezPlot equity loss $ (500 ) $ (189 ) Sungenia JV equity loss (115 ) (40 ) GTSC equity income 760 575 OFS LLC equity income 38 42 SV Lift equity loss (131 ) — Total Income / (Loss) from Nonconsolidated Affiliates $ 52 $ 388 The change in the GTSC investment balance is as follows (in thousands): March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Beginning balance $ 18,488 $ 29,780 Adjustment of allowance for losses — 144 Initial fair value option adjustment (see Note 17) 317 — Cash contributions 3,689 33,143 Distributions (2,035 ) (47,382 ) Equity earnings 760 2,803 Fair value adjustment (2,191 ) — Ending Balance $ 19,028 $ 18,488

Consolidated Variable Interest

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
DisclosureofVariableInterestEntities [Abstract]
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities	Consolidated Variable Interest Entities The Operating Partnership We consolidate the Operating Partnership under the guidance set forth in FASB ASC Topic 810 “Consolidation.” ASU 2015-02 modified the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) or, alternatively, voting interest entities. We evaluated the application of ASU 2015-02 and concluded that the Operating Partnership met the criteria of a VIE. Our significant asset is our investment in the Operating Partnership, and consequently, substantially all of our assets and liabilities represent those assets and liabilities of the Operating Partnership. We are the sole general partner and generally have the power to manage and have complete control over the Operating Partnership and the obligation to absorb its losses or the right to receive its benefits. Sun NG RV Resorts LLC (“Sun NG Resorts”); Rudgate Village SPE, LLC, Rudgate Clinton SPE, LLC, and Rudgate Clinton Estates SPE, LLC (collectively, “Rudgate”); Sun NG Whitewater RV LLC ( “NG Sun Whitewater RV LLC” ); We consolidate Sun NG Resorts, Rudgate, and Sun NG Whitewater RV LLC, under the guidance set forth in FASB ASC Topic 810 “Consolidation.” We concluded that each of them is a VIE where we are the primary beneficiary, as we have the power to direct the significant activities, absorb the significant losses and receive the significant benefits from the entity. Refer to Note 3 , “ Real Estate Acquisitions ,” Note 8 , “ Debt and Lines of Credit ,” and Note 9 , “ Equity and Temporary Equity ” for additional information on Sun NG Resorts. The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities of Sun NG Resorts, Rudgate, and NG Sun Whitewater RV LLC included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets after eliminations (in thousands): March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Assets Investment property, net $ 350,019 $ 344,300 Other assets, net 23,751 23,894 Total Assets $ 373,770 $ 368,194 Liabilities and Other Equity Debt $ 46,727 $ 46,993 Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts - mandatorily redeemable 35,249 35,249 Other liabilities 19,604 13,631 Total Liabilities 101,580 95,873 Equity Interest - NG Sun LLC & NG Sun Whitewater RV LLC 26,063 27,091 Noncontrolling interests 9,374 8,542 Total Liabilities and Other Equity $ 137,017 $ 131,506 Investment property, net and other assets, net related to the consolidated VIEs, with the exception of the Operating Partnership, comprised approximately 4.6 percent and 4.7 percent of our consolidated total assets at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , respectively. Debt, Preferred Equity and other liabilities comprised approximately 2.3 percent and 2.5 percent of our consolidated total liabilities at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , respectively. Equity Interests and Noncontrolling interests related to the consolidated VIEs, on an absolute basis, comprised approximately less than 1.0 percent of our consolidated total equity at March 31, 2020 and at December 31, 2019

Debt And Lines Of Credit

Debt And Lines Of Credit	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	Debt and Lines of Credit The following table sets forth certain information regarding debt including premiums, discounts and deferred financing costs (in thousands): Carrying Amount Weighted Average Years to Maturity Weighted Average Interest Rates March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Collateralized term loans - Life Companies $ 1,701,478 $ 1,710,408 16.9 17.1 4.0 % 4.0 % Collateralized term loans - FNMA 902,375 697,589 9.0 7.0 3.4 % 3.7 % Collateralized term loans - CMBS 296,753 397,868 3.4 3.1 4.9 % 5.1 % Collateralized term loans - FMCC 373,202 374,727 4.6 4.9 3.9 % 3.9 % Total collateralized term loans 3,273,808 3,180,592 Preferred equity - Sun NG Resorts - mandatorily redeemable 35,249 35,249 2.5 2.8 6.0 % 6.0 % Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable 34,663 34,663 5.9 4.0 5.9 % 6.5 % Lines of credit 582,774 183,898 3.2 3.5 1.8 % 2.7 % Total debt $ 3,926,494 $ 3,434,402 10.6 11.1 3.6 % 4.0 % Collateralized Term Loans During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and year ended December 31, 2019 , we repaid the following collateralized term loans: Three Months Ended Repayment amount (in millions) Fixed Interest rate Maturity date (Gain) / loss on extinguishment of debt (in millions) Encumbered communities released March 31, 2020 $ 99.6 5.837 % March 1, 2021 $ 3.4 11 $ 19.9 (1) 5.83 % (3) July 1, 2020 $ (0.1 ) 2 December 31, 2019 $ 17.0 5.62 % March 1, 2020 $ — — $ 127.3 5.10 % November 1, 2021 $ 3.2 — $ 21.5 (2) 6.24 % (3) March 1, 2020 April 1, 2020 $ (0.2 ) 3 September 30, 2019 $ 134.0 4.3 % May 1, 2023 $ 12.8 — March 31, 2019 $ 186.8 3.83 % January 1, 2030 $ 0.7 — (1) Includes four collateralized term loans due to mature on July 1, 2020. (2) Includes four collateralized term loans, three due to mature on March 1, 2020 and one due to mature on April 1, 2020. (3) The interest rate represents the weighted average interest rate on collateralized term loans. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and year ended December 31, 2019 , we entered into the following collateralized term loans: Three Months Ended Loan amount (in millions) Term (in years) Interest rate Maturity date March 31, 2020 $ 230.0 15 2.995 % April 1, 2035 December 31, 2019 $ 400.0 (1) 21 4.026 % December 15, 2039 December 15, 2041 September 30, 2019 $ 250.0 10 2.925 % October 1, 2029 March 31, 2019 $ 265.0 25 4.170 % January 15, 2044 (1) Includes two collateralized term loans one due to mature on December 15, 2039 and the other on December 1, 2041. The collateralized term loans totaling $3.3 billion as of March 31, 2020 , are secured by 185 properties comprised of 73,364 sites representing approximately $3.2 billion of net book value. Preferred OP Units - mandatorily redeemable Preferred OP units at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 include $34.7 million of Aspen preferred OP units issued by the Operating Partnership. As of March 31, 2020 , these units are convertible indirectly into 433,072 shares of our common stock. In January 2020, we amended the Operating Partnership’s partnership agreement at the election of certain Aspen preferred OP unit holders. The amendment extended the automatic redemption date and reduced the annual distribution rate for 270,000 of the Aspen preferred OP units (the “Extended Units”). Subject to certain limitations, at any time prior to January 1, 2024 (or prior to January 1, 2034 with respect to the Extended Units), the holder of each Aspen preferred OP unit at its option may convert such Aspen preferred OP unit into: (a) if the average closing price of our common stock for the preceding ten trading days is $68.00 per share or less, 0.397 common OP units; or (b) if the ten-day average closing price is greater than $68.00 per share, the number of common OP units is determined by dividing (i) the sum of (A) $27.00 plus (B) 25 percent of the amount by which the ten-day average closing price exceeds $68.00 per share, by (ii) the ten-day average closing price. The current preferred distribution rate is 3.8 percent on the Extended Units and 6.5 percent on all other Aspen preferred OP units. On January 2, 2024 (or January 2, 2034 with respect to the Extended Units), we are required to redeem for cash all Aspen preferred OP units that have not been converted to common OP units. As of March 31, 2020 , 270,000 of the Extended Units and 1,013,819 other Aspen preferred units were outstanding. Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts - mandatorily redeemable In connection with the investment in Sun NG Resorts, $35.3 million of mandatorily redeemable Preferred Equity (“Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts”) was purchased by unrelated third parties. The Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts carries a preferred rate of return of 6.0 percent per annum. The Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts has a seven-year term and can be redeemed in the fourth quarter of 2022 at the holders’ option. The Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts as of March 31, 2020 was $35.2 million . Refer to Note 3 , “ Real Estate Acquisitions ,” Note 7 , “ Consolidated Variable Interest Entities ,” and Note 9 , “ Equity and Temporary Equity ” for additional information. Lines of Credit Credit agreement - In May 2019, we amended and restated our credit agreement with Citibank, N.A. and certain other lenders. Pursuant to the credit agreement, we entered into a senior credit facility with Citibank and certain lenders in the amount of $750.0 million , comprised of a $650.0 million revolving loan, with the ability to use up to $100.0 million for advances in Australian dollars, and a $100.0 million term loan (the “A&R Facility”). As of March 31, 2020 , the term loan was fully drawn. The A&R Credit Agreement has a four-year term ending May 21, 2023 , which can be extended for two additional six-month periods, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions as defined in the credit agreement. The credit agreement also provides for additional commitments in an amount not to exceed $350.0 million . The funding of these additional commitments is subject to certain conditions, including obtaining the consent of the lenders, some of which are outside of our control. If additional borrowings are made pursuant to any such additional commitments, the aggregate borrowing limit under the A&R Facility may be increased up to $1.1 billion . The A&R Facility bears interest at a floating rate based on the Eurodollar rate or Bank Bill Swap Bid Rate plus a margin that is determined based on our leverage ratio calculated in accordance with the credit agreement, which margin can range from 1.20 percent to 2.10 percent for the revolving loan and 1.20 percent to 2.05 percent for the term loan. As of March 31, 2020 , the margin based on our leverage ratio was 1.2 percent on the revolving loan and 1.2 percent on the term loan. We had $424.9 million and $100.0 million of borrowings on the revolving loan and the term loan, respectively, as of March 31, 2020 . We had $123.6 million of borrowings on the revolving loan and no borrowings on the term loan, as of December 31, 2019 . The A&R Facility provides us with the ability to issue letters of credit. Our issuance of letters of credit does not increase our borrowings outstanding under our line of credit but does reduce the borrowing amount available. At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , we had approximately $2.6 million and $2.8 million of availability, respectively. Floor plan - We have a $12.0 million manufactured home floor plan facility renewable indefinitely until our lender provides us at least a twelve month notice of their intent to terminate the agreement. The interest rate is 100 basis points over the greater of the prime rate as quoted in the Wall Street Journal on the first business day of each month or 6.0 percent . At March 31, 2020 , the effective interest rate was 7.0 percent . The outstanding balance was $4.0 million as of March 31, 2020 and $3.3 million as of December 31, 2019 Other - In October 2019, we assumed a term loan facility with Citibank N.A. (“Citibank”), in the amount of $58.0 million in relation to an acquisition. The term loan has a four-year term ending October 29, 2023, and bears interest at a floating rate based on the Eurodollar rate or Prime rate. The outstanding balance was $54.2 million at March 31, 2020 and $57.0 million at December 31, 2019 , respectively. Covenants Pursuant to the terms of the A&R Facility, we are subject to various financial and other covenants. The most restrictive of our debt agreements place limitations on secured borrowings and contain minimum fixed charge coverage, leverage, distribution, and net worth requirements. At March 31, 2020 , we were in compliance with all covenants. In addition, certain of our subsidiary borrowers own properties that secure loans. These subsidiaries are consolidated within our accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements, however, each of these subsidiaries’ assets and credit are not available to satisfy the debts and other obligations of the Company, any of its other subsidiaries or any other person or entity. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements - Nonconsolidated Affiliate Indebtedness We have a 40 percent investment in GTSC, a nonconsolidated affiliate. During September 2019, GTSC entered into a warehouse line of credit with a maximum loan amount of $125.0 million . During February 2020, the maximum amount was increased to $140.0 million . As of March 31, 2020 , the aggregate carrying amount of debt, including both our and our partners’ share, incurred by GTSC was approximately $139.9 million (of which our proportionate share is approximately $56.0 million ). The debt bears interest at a variable rate based on LIBOR plus 1.65 percent per annum and matures on September 15, 2023. As of December 31, 2019 , the aggregate carrying amount of debt, including both our and our partner’s share, incurred by GTSC was approximately $123.4 million (of which our proportionate share is approximately $49.4 million ).

Equity and Temporary Equity

Equity and Temporary Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Equity and Temporary Equity	Public Equity Offerings In May 2019, we closed an underwritten registered public offering of 3,737,500 shares of common stock. Proceeds from the offering were $452.1 million after deducting expenses related to the offering. We used the net proceeds of this offering to repay borrowings outstanding under the revolving loan under our senior credit facility. At the Market Offering Sales Agreement In July 2017, we entered into a new at the market offering sales agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with certain sales agents (collectively, the “Sales Agents”), whereby we may offer and sell shares of our common stock, having an aggregate offering price of up to $450.0 million , from time to time through the Sales Agents. The Sales Agents are entitled to compensation in an agreed amount not to exceed 2.0 percent of the gross price per share for any shares sold from time to time under the Sales Agreement. Through March 31, 2020 , we have sold shares of our common stock for gross proceeds of $163.8 million under the Sales Agreement. There were no issuances of common stock under the Sales Agreement during the three months ended March 31, 2020 or the year ended December 31, 2019 . Issuance of Series E Preferred OP Units - In January 2020, we issued 90,000 Series E preferred OP units in connection with the acquisition of Cape Cod RV Resort. The Series E preferred OP units have a stated issuance price of $100.00 per OP Unit and carry a preferred return of 5.25 percent until the second anniversary of the issuance date. Commencing with the second anniversary of the issuance date, the Series E Preferred OP Units carry a preferred return of 5.50 percent . Commencing the first anniversary of the issuance date, subject to certain limitation, each Series E Preferred OP Unit can be exchanged for our common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing $100.00 by $145.00 (as such ratio is subject to adjustments for certain capital events). As of March 31, 2020 , 90,000 Series E preferred OP Units were outstanding. Refer to Note 3 , “ Real Estate Acquisitions ” for additional information. Temporary Equity Equity Interests - NG Sun Whitewater RV LLC - In August 2019, in connection with the investment in land at the property known as Whitewater, NG Sun Whitewater LLC purchased $2.4 million of common equity interest in Sun NG Whitewater RV LLC Resorts (referred to as “Equity Interests - NG Sun Whitewater RV LLC”). The Equity Interests - NG Sun Whitewater RV LLC do not have a fixed maturity date. Upon the occurrence of certain events, either NG Sun Whitewater LLC or Sun NG LLC, our subsidiary, can trigger a process under which we may be required to purchase the Equity Interests - NG Sun Whitewater RV LLC from NG Sun Whitewater LLC. Refer to Note 3 , “ Real Estate Acquisitions ,” and Note 7 , “ Consolidated Variable Interest Entities ,” for additional information. Issuance of Series D Preferred OP Units - In February 2019, we issued 488,958 Series D preferred OP units in connection with the acquisition of Country Village Estates. The Series D preferred OP units have a stated issuance price of $100.00 per OP Unit and carry a preferred return of 3.75 percent until the second anniversary of the issuance date. Commencing with the second anniversary of the issuance date, the Series D Preferred OP Units carry a preferred return of 4.0 percent . Commencing with the first anniversary of the issuance date, each Series D Preferred OP Unit can be exchanged for our common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing $ 100.0 0 by $125.00 (as such ratio is subject to adjustments for certain capital events) at the holder’s option. The holders may require redemption in cash after the fifth anniversary of the Series D issuance date or upon the holder’s death. As of March 31, 2020 , 488,958 Series D preferred OP units were outstanding. Refer to Note 3 , “ Real Estate Acquisitions ” for additional information. Equity Interests - NG Sun LLC - In June 2018, in connection with the investment in Sun NG Resorts, unrelated third parties purchased $ 6.5 million of Series B preferred equity interests and $15.4 million of common equity interest in Sun NG Resorts (herein jointly referred to as “Equity Interest - NG Sun LLC”). The Series B preferred equity interests carry a preferred return at a rate that, at any time, is equal to the interest rate on Sun NG Resorts’ indebtedness at such time. The current rate of return is 5.0 percent . The Equity Interests - NG Sun LLC do not have a fixed maturity date and can be redeemed in the fourth quarter of 2022 at the holders’ option. Sun NG LLC, our subsidiary, has the right during certain periods each year, with or without cause, or for cause at any time, to elect to buy NG Sun LLC’s interest. During a limited period in 2022, NG Sun LLC has the right to put its interest to Sun NG LLC. If either party exercises their option, the property management agreement will be terminated, and the Company is required to purchase the remaining interests of NG Sun LLC and the property management agreement at fair value. Refer to Note 3 , “ Real Estate Acquisitions ,” Note 7 , “ Consolidated Variable Interest Entities ,” and Note 8 , “ Debt and Lines of Credit ” for additional information. Series A-4 Preferred OP Units On December 13, 2019, all outstanding shares of the Company’s 6.50% Series A-4 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, and all of the Operating Partnership’s Series A-4 Preferred OP Units were converted into common stock and common OP units, respectively. All 1,031,747 shares of Series A-4 preferred stock were converted into 458,541 shares of common stock (net of fractional shares paid in cash). All 405,656 Series A-4 preferred OP units were converted into 180,277 common OP units (net of fractional units paid in cash). The Series A-4 preferred shares and units were issued to the sellers of the American Land Lease portfolio which we acquired in 2014 and 2015. Issuances of Common Stock and Common OP Units In October 2019, in connection with the acquisition of the Jensen Portfolio, we issued 1,972,876 shares of common stock, net of fractional shares paid in cash. Conversions Conversions to Common Stock - Subject to certain limitations, holders can convert certain series of stock and OP units to shares of our common stock at any time. Below is the activity of conversions during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 : Three Months Ended Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 Series Conversion Rate Units/Shares Converted Common Stock (1) Units/Shares Converted Common Stock (1) Common OP unit 1.0000 11,949 11,949 6,533 6,533 Series A-1 preferred OP unit 2.4390 6,677 16,283 3,950 9,633 (1) C alculation may yield minor differences due to rounding incorporated in the above numbers. Dividends Distributions declared for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were as follows: Cash Distributions Record Date Payment Date Distribution per Share Total Distribution (thousands) Common Stock, Common OP units and Restricted Stock 3/31/2020 4/15/2020 $ 0.79 $ 75,631

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation As of March 31, 2020 , we had two share-based compensation plans: the Sun Communities, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (“2015 Equity Incentive Plan”) and the First Amended and Restated 2004 Non-Employee Director Option Plan (“2004 Non-Employee Director Option Plan”). We believe granting equity awards will provide certain executives, key employees and directors additional incentives to promote our financial success and promote employee and director retention by providing an opportunity to acquire or increase the direct proprietary interest of those individuals in our operations and future. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , shares were granted as follow: Grant Period Type Plan Shares Granted Grant Date Fair Value Per Share Vesting Type Vesting Anniversary Percentage 2020 Key Employees 2015 Equity Incentive Plan 51,790 $ 162.42 (1) Time Based 20.0% annually over 5 years 2020 Executive Officers 2015 Equity Incentive Plan 46,000 $ 165.97 (1) Time Based 20.0% annually over 5 years 2020 Executive Officers 2015 Equity Incentive Plan 69,000 (2) $ 125.47 (2) Market Condition 3rd 100.0 % 2020 Directors 2004 Non-Employee Director Option Plan 10,200 $ 147.97 (1) Time Based 3rd 100.0 % 2019 Executive Officers 2015 Equity Incentive Plan 44,000 $ 115.39 (1) Time Based 20.0% annually over 5 years 2019 Executive Officers 2015 Equity Incentive Plan 66,000 (3) $ 115.39 (3) Market Condition 3rd 100.0 % 2019 Directors 2004 Non-Employee Director Option Plan 18,000 $ 113.68 (1) Time Based 3rd 100.0 % (1) The fair values of the grants were determined by using the average closing price of our common stock on the dates the shares were issued. (2) Share-based compensation for restricted stock awards with market conditions is measured based on an estimate of shares expected to vest. We estimate the fair value of share-based compensation for restricted stock with market conditions using a Monte Carlo simulation. At the grant date our common stock price was $165.97 . Based on the Monte Carlo simulation we expect 75.6% of the 69,000 shares to vest. (3) Share-based compensation for restricted stock awards with market conditions is measured based on an estimate of shares expected to vest. We estimate the fair value of share-based compensation for restricted stock with market conditions using a Monte Carlo simulation. At the grant date our common stock price was $115.39 . Based on the Monte Carlo simulation we expect 75.1% of the 66,000 shares to vest. Options There were no stock option exercises during the three months ended March 31, 2020 . During the three months ended March 31, 2019 , 1,500 shares of common stock were issued in connection with the exercise of stock options with net proceeds of less than $0.1 million . Vesting The vesting requirements for 144,231 restricted shares granted to our executives, directors and employees were satisfied during the three months ended March 31, 2020 .

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	We group our operating segments into reportable segments that provide similar products and services. Each operating segment has discrete financial information evaluated regularly by our chief operating decision maker in evaluating and assessing performance. We have two reportable segments: (i) Real Property Operations and (ii) Home Sales and Rentals. The Real Property Operations segment owns, operates, has an interest in a portfolio, and develops MH communities and RV communities, and is in the business of acquiring, operating, and expanding MH and RV communities. The Home Sales and Rentals segment offers manufactured home sales and leasing services to tenants and prospective tenants of our communities . Transactions between our segments are eliminated in consolidation. Transient RV revenue is included in the Real Property Operations segment revenues. Transient revenue was $ 25.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 . Transient revenue was $ 121.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 . We recognized 20.1 percent in the first quarter, 23.2 percent in the second quarter, 40.3 percent in the third quarter, and 16.4 percent in the fourth quarter. A presentation of segment financial information is summarized as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Revenues $ 247,980 $ 56,059 $ 304,039 $ 225,261 $ 53,589 $ 278,850 Operating expenses / Cost of sales 88,715 35,526 124,241 80,340 34,109 114,449 Net Operating Income / Gross Profit 159,265 20,533 179,798 144,921 19,480 164,401 Adjustments to arrive at net income / (loss) Interest and other revenues, net 6,263 — 6,263 8,480 — 8,480 Home selling expenses — (3,992 ) (3,992 ) — (3,324 ) (3,324 ) General and administrative expenses (22,556 ) (2,961 ) (25,517 ) (19,234 ) (2,653 ) (21,887 ) Catastrophic weather-related charges, net (606 ) — (606 ) (782 ) — (782 ) Depreciation and amortization (62,706 ) (20,983 ) (83,689 ) (58,245 ) (18,311 ) (76,556 ) Loss on extinguishment of debt (3,279 ) — (3,279 ) (653 ) — (653 ) Interest expense (32,408 ) (8 ) (32,416 ) (34,010 ) (4 ) (34,014 ) Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity (1,041 ) — (1,041 ) (1,094 ) — (1,094 ) Gain / (loss) on remeasurement of marketable securities (28,647 ) — (28,647 ) 267 — 267 Gain / (loss) on foreign currency translation (17,462 ) (17 ) (17,479 ) 1,964 1 1,965 Other income / (expense), net (303 ) 1 (302 ) (104 ) 37 (67 ) Loss on remeasurement of notes receivable (2,112 ) — (2,112 ) — — — Income from nonconsolidated affiliates — 52 52 — 388 388 Loss on remeasurement of investment in nonconsolidated affiliates — (2,191 ) (2,191 ) — — — Current tax expense (296 ) (154 ) (450 ) (122 ) (92 ) (214 ) Deferred tax benefit 130 — 130 217 — 217 Net Income / (Loss) (5,758 ) (9,720 ) (15,478 ) 41,605 (4,478 ) 37,127 Less: Preferred return to preferred OP units / equity 1,570 — 1,570 1,323 — 1,323 Less: Income / (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests (555 ) (407 ) (962 ) 1,259 (218 ) 1,041 Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. (6,773 ) (9,313 ) (16,086 ) 39,023 (4,260 ) 34,763 Less: Preferred stock distribution — — — 432 — 432 Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. Common Stockholders $ (6,773 ) $ (9,313 ) $ (16,086 ) $ 38,591 $ (4,260 ) $ 34,331 March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Identifiable assets Investment property, net $ 6,689,866 $ 598,535 $ 7,288,401 $ 6,651,275 $ 581,345 $ 7,232,620 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 348,470 46,270 394,740 (8,346 ) 43,176 34,830 Marketable securities 55,602 — 55,602 94,727 — 94,727 Inventory of manufactured homes 128 64,308 64,436 — 62,061 62,061 Notes and other receivables, net 170,569 16,123 186,692 142,509 15,417 157,926 Other assets, net 163,864 55,312 219,176 167,804 52,092 219,896 Total assets $ 7,428,499 $ 780,548 $ 8,209,047 $ 7,047,969 $ 754,091 $ 7,802,060

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We have elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) pursuant to Section 856(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”). In order for us to qualify as a REIT, at least 95 percent of our gross income in any year must be derived from qualifying sources. In addition, a REIT must distribute annually at least 90 percent of its REIT taxable income (calculated without any deduction for dividends paid and excluding capital gain) to its stockholders and meet other tests. Qualification as a REIT involves the satisfaction of numerous requirements (on an annual and quarterly basis) established under highly technical and complex Code provisions for which there are limited judicial or administrative interpretations and involves the determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within our control. In addition, frequent changes occur in the area of REIT taxation which requires us to continually monitor our tax status. We analyzed the various REIT tests and confirmed that we continued to qualify as a REIT for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 . As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to United States (“U.S.”) federal income taxes at the corporate level on the ordinary taxable income we distribute to our stockholders as dividends. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, our taxable income could be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates. Even if we qualify as a REIT, we may be subject to certain state and local income taxes as well as U.S. federal income and excise taxes on our undistributed income. In addition, taxable income from non-REIT activities managed through taxable REIT subsidiaries is subject to federal, state, and local income taxes. The Company is also subject to local income taxes in Canada as a result of the acquisition in 2016 of certain properties located in Canada. We do not provide for withholding taxes on our undistributed earnings from our Canadian subsidiaries as they are reinvested and will continue to be reinvested indefinitely outside of the U.S. However, we are subject to Australian withholding taxes on distributions from our investment in Ingenia Communities Group. Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the bases of such assets and liabilities as measured by tax laws. Deferred tax assets are reduced, if necessary, by a valuation allowance to the amount where realization is more likely than not assured after considering all available evidence. Our temporary differences primarily relate to net operating loss carryforwards, depreciation and basis differences between tax and U.S. GAAP on our Canadian investments. Our deferred tax assets that have a full valuation allowance relate to our taxable REIT subsidiaries business. Net deferred tax liabilities of $19.1 million and $21.0 million for Canadian entities have been recorded in relation to corporate entities and included in “Other liabilities” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , respectively. There are no U.S. federal deferred tax assets or liabilities included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 . We had no unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2020 and 2019 . We do not expect significant changes in tax positions that would result in unrecognized tax benefits within one year of March 31, 2020 . For the three months ended March 31, 2020 we recorded a current tax expense for federal, state, Canadian income taxes and Australian withholding taxes of $0.5 million . For the three months ended March 31, 2019 we recorded a current tax expense for federal, state and Canadian income taxes of $0.2 million . For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , we recorded a deferred tax benefit of $0.1 million and $0.2 million , respectively.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings / (Loss) Per Share We have outstanding stock options and unvested restricted common shares. Our Operating Partnership has outstanding common OP units, Series A-1 preferred OP units, Series A-3 preferred OP units, Series C preferred OP units, Series D preferred OP units, Series E preferred OP units, and Aspen preferred OP Units, which, if converted or exercised, may impact dilution. Computations of basic and diluted earnings / (loss) per share were as follows (in thousands, except per share data): Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 Numerator Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. Common Stockholders $ (16,086 ) $ 34,331 Less allocation to restricted stock awards (254 ) 437 Basic earnings - Net income / (loss) attributable to common stockholders after allocation to restricted stock awards $ (15,832 ) $ 33,894 Add allocation to restricted stock awards (254 ) 437 Diluted earnings - Net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation to restricted stock awards $ (16,086 ) $ 34,331 Denominator Weighted average common shares outstanding 92,410 85,520 Add: dilutive stock options 1 1 Add: dilutive restricted stock 524 512 Diluted weighted average common shares and securities 92,935 86,033 Earnings / (Loss) Per Share Available to Common Stockholders After Allocation Basic earnings / (loss) per share $ (0.17 ) $ 0.40 Diluted earnings / (loss) per share $ (0.17 ) $ 0.40 We have excluded certain convertible securities from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the inclusion of those securities would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented. The following table presents the outstanding securities that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as of March 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands): As of March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 Common OP units 2,408 2,719 A-3 preferred OP units 40 40 A-1 preferred OP units 303 328 Series C preferred OP units 310 314 Series D preferred OP units 489 489 Aspen preferred OP units 1,284 1,284 Series E preferred OP units 90 — Series A-4 preferred stock — 1,063 A-4 preferred OP units — 410 Total Securities 4,924 6,647

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	Our financial instruments consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, marketable securities, notes and other receivables, accounts payable, and debt. ASC Topic 820 “ Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, ” requires disclosure regarding determination of fair value for assets and liabilities and establishes a hierarchy under which these assets and liabilities must be grouped, based on significant levels of observable or unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumption. This hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. These two types of inputs have created the following fair value hierarchy: Level 1—Quoted unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets; Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and Level 3—Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. We utilize fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. The following methods and assumptions were used in order to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value: Marketable Securities Marketable securities held by us and accounted for under the ASC 321 “ Investment Equity Securities ” are measured at fair value. Any change in fair value is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in Remeasurement of marketable securities in accordance with ASU 2016-01 “ Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities .” The fair value is measured by the quoted unadjusted share price which is readily available in active markets (Level 1). The change in the marketable securities balance is as follows (in thousands): March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Beginning Balance $ 94,727 $ 49,037 Additional purchase — 8,995 Change in fair value measurement (28,647 ) 34,240 Foreign currency translation adjustment (11,414 ) 816 Dividend reinvestment, net of tax 936 1,639 Ending Balance $ 55,602 $ 94,727 Installment Notes Receivable on Manufactured Homes Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes are recorded at fair value and are measured using model-derived indicative pricing using observable inputs, inclusive of default rates, interest rates and recovery rates (Level 2). Refer to Note 4 , “ Notes and Other Receivables .” and Note 17, “Recent Accounting Pronouncement.” for additional detail. Notes Receivable from Real Estate Developers Notes receivable from real estate developers are recorded at fair value and are measured using prevailing market interest rates (Level 2).The carrying values of those notes generally approximate their fair market values either due to the short-term nature of the note and/or the note being secured by underlying collateral and/or personal guarantees. Refer to Note 4 , “ Notes and Other Receivables .” and Note 17, “Recent Accounting Pronouncement.” for additional detail. Long-Term Debt and Lines of Credit The fair value of long-term debt is based on the estimates of management and on rates currently quoted, rates currently prevailing for comparable loans, and instruments of comparable maturities (Level 2). Refer to Note 8 , “ Debt and Lines of Credit .” Financial Liabilities We estimate the fair value of our contingent consideration liability based on discounting of future cash flows using market interest rates and adjusting for non-performance risk over the remaining term of the liability (Level 2). Other Financial Instruments The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, other receivables, and accounts payable approximate their fair market values due to the short-term nature of those instruments. The table below sets forth our financial assets and liabilities that required disclosure of fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2020 . The table presents the carrying values and fair values of our financial instruments as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , that were measured using the valuation techniques described above (in thousands). The table excludes other financial instruments such as cash and cash equivalents, other receivables, and accounts payable as the carrying values associated with these instruments approximate fair value since their maturities are less than one year. March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Financial Assets Carrying Value Fair Carrying Value Fair Marketable securities $ 55,602 $ 55,602 $ 94,727 $ 94,727 Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net 92,208 92,208 95,580 95,580 Notes receivable from real estate developers 37,481 37,481 18,960 18,960 Total $ 185,291 $ 185,291 $ 209,267 $ 209,267 Financial Liabilities Debt $ 3,343,720 $ 3,381,041 $ 3,250,504 $ 3,270,544 Lines of credit 582,774 582,774 183,898 183,898 Other liabilities (contingent consideration) 4,133 4,133 6,134 6,134 Total $ 3,930,627 $ 3,967,948 $ 3,440,536 $ 3,460,576

Commitments And Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Legal Proceedings We are involved in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. All such proceedings, taken together, are not expected to have a material adverse impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

Leases

Leases	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Leases Lessee accounting Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of the three months ended March 31, 2020 where we are the lessee include: Maturity of lease liabilities (in thousands) Operating Leases Finance Leases Total 2020 (Excluding three months ended March 31, 2020) $ 2,186 $ 112 $ 2,298 2021 2,842 120 2,962 2022 2,863 120 2,983 2023 2,994 120 3,114 2024 3,300 4,060 7,360 Thereafter 32,773 — 32,773 Total Lease Payments $ 46,958 $ 4,532 $ 51,490 Less: Imputed interest (20,875 ) (433 ) (21,308 ) Present Value of Lease Liabilities $ 26,083 $ 4,099 $ 30,182 ROU assets and lease liabilities for finance and operating leases as included in our Consolidated Financial Statements are as follows: Lease Asset and Liabilities (in thousands) Description Financial Statement Classification March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Lease Assets Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities Other asset, net $ 4,099 $ 4,081 Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities Other asset, net $ 25,442 $ 23,751 Right-of-use asset obtained relative to below market operating lease Other asset, net $ 28,178 $ 28,366 Lease Liabilities Finance lease liabilities Other liabilities $ 4,099 $ 4,081 Operating lease liabilities Other liabilities $ 26,083 $ 24,222 Lease expense for finance and operating leases as included in our Consolidated Financial Statements are as follows: Lease Expense (in thousands) Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Description Financial Statement Classification March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 Finance lease expense Amortization of right-of-use assets Interest expense $ (18 ) $ (18 ) Interest on lease liabilities Interest expense 26 26 Operating lease cost General and administrative expense, Property operating and maintenance 974 822 Variable lease cost Property operating and maintenance 369 319 Total Lease Expense $ 1,351 $ 1,149 Lease term, discount rates and additional information for finance and operating leases are as follows: Lease Term and Discount Rate March 31, 2020 Weighted-average remaining lease terms (years) Finance lease 4.25 Operating lease 25.60 Weighted-average discount rate Finance lease 2.50 % Operating lease 4.14 % Other Information (in thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities Operating Cash Flow from Operating leases $ 590 $ 450 Financing Cash Flow from Finance leases 8 8 Total Cash Paid on Lease Liabilities $ 598 $ 458 As of the three months ended March 31, 2020 , we have an additional executive office space operating lease for $2.9 million with a lease term of seven years . Related Party Leases: Lease of Executive Offices. Gary A. Shiffman, together with certain of his family members, indirectly owns an equity interest of approximately 28.1 percent in American Center LLC, the entity from which we lease office space for our principal executive offices. Each of Brian M. Hermelin, Ronald A. Klein and Arthur A. Weiss indirectly owns a less than one percent interest in American Center LLC. Mr. Shiffman is our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Each of Mr. Hermelin, Mr. Klein and Mr. Weiss is a director of the Company. Under this agreement, we lease approximately 103,100 rentable square feet of permanent space. The initial term of the lease is until October 31, 2026, and the current average gross base rent is $18.95 per square foot until October 31, 2020 with graduated rental increases thereafter. We entered into an additional office space operating lease which commenced in January 2020. Under this agreement, we lease approximately 20,087 rentable square feet of permanent space. The initial term of the lease is until October 31, 2026 and the average gross base rent is $18.95 per square foot until October 31, 2020 with graduated rent increases thereafter. Each of Mr. Shiffman, Mr. Hermelin, Mr. Klein and Mr. Weiss may have a conflict of interest with respect to his obligations as our officer and/or director and his ownership interest in American Center LLC. Lessor Accounting We are not the lessor for any finance leases as of March 31, 2020 . Over 95 percent of our operating leases where we are the lessor are either month to month or for a time period not to exceed one year. As of the reporting date, future minimum lease payments would not exceed twelve months. Similarly, over 94 percent of our investment property, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and related depreciation amounts relate to assets whereby we are the lessor under an operating lease.
Leases	Lessee accounting Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of the three months ended March 31, 2020 where we are the lessee include: Maturity of lease liabilities (in thousands) Operating Leases Finance Leases Total 2020 (Excluding three months ended March 31, 2020) $ 2,186 $ 112 $ 2,298 2021 2,842 120 2,962 2022 2,863 120 2,983 2023 2,994 120 3,114 2024 3,300 4,060 7,360 Thereafter 32,773 — 32,773 Total Lease Payments $ 46,958 $ 4,532 $ 51,490 Less: Imputed interest (20,875 ) (433 ) (21,308 ) Present Value of Lease Liabilities $ 26,083 $ 4,099 $ 30,182 ROU assets and lease liabilities for finance and operating leases as included in our Consolidated Financial Statements are as follows: Lease Asset and Liabilities (in thousands) Description Financial Statement Classification March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Lease Assets Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities Other asset, net $ 4,099 $ 4,081 Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities Other asset, net $ 25,442 $ 23,751 Right-of-use asset obtained relative to below market operating lease Other asset, net $ 28,178 $ 28,366 Lease Liabilities Finance lease liabilities Other liabilities $ 4,099 $ 4,081 Operating lease liabilities Other liabilities $ 26,083 $ 24,222 Lease expense for finance and operating leases as included in our Consolidated Financial Statements are as follows: Lease Expense (in thousands) Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Description Financial Statement Classification March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 Finance lease expense Amortization of right-of-use assets Interest expense $ (18 ) $ (18 ) Interest on lease liabilities Interest expense 26 26 Operating lease cost General and administrative expense, Property operating and maintenance 974 822 Variable lease cost Property operating and maintenance 369 319 Total Lease Expense $ 1,351 $ 1,149 Lease term, discount rates and additional information for finance and operating leases are as follows: Lease Term and Discount Rate March 31, 2020 Weighted-average remaining lease terms (years) Finance lease 4.25 Operating lease 25.60 Weighted-average discount rate Finance lease 2.50 % Operating lease 4.14 % Other Information (in thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities Operating Cash Flow from Operating leases $ 590 $ 450 Financing Cash Flow from Finance leases 8 8 Total Cash Paid on Lease Liabilities $ 598 $ 458 As of the three months ended March 31, 2020 , we have an additional executive office space operating lease for $2.9 million with a lease term of seven years . Related Party Leases: Lease of Executive Offices. Gary A. Shiffman, together with certain of his family members, indirectly owns an equity interest of approximately 28.1 percent in American Center LLC, the entity from which we lease office space for our principal executive offices. Each of Brian M. Hermelin, Ronald A. Klein and Arthur A. Weiss indirectly owns a less than one percent interest in American Center LLC. Mr. Shiffman is our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Each of Mr. Hermelin, Mr. Klein and Mr. Weiss is a director of the Company. Under this agreement, we lease approximately 103,100 rentable square feet of permanent space. The initial term of the lease is until October 31, 2026, and the current average gross base rent is $18.95 per square foot until October 31, 2020 with graduated rental increases thereafter. We entered into an additional office space operating lease which commenced in January 2020. Under this agreement, we lease approximately 20,087 rentable square feet of permanent space. The initial term of the lease is until October 31, 2026 and the average gross base rent is $18.95 per square foot until October 31, 2020 with graduated rent increases thereafter. Each of Mr. Shiffman, Mr. Hermelin, Mr. Klein and Mr. Weiss may have a conflict of interest with respect to his obligations as our officer and/or director and his ownership interest in American Center LLC. Lessor Accounting We are not the lessor for any finance leases as of March 31, 2020 . Over 95 percent of our operating leases where we are the lessor are either month to month or for a time period not to exceed one year. As of the reporting date, future minimum lease payments would not exceed twelve months. Similarly, over 94 percent of our investment property, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and related depreciation amounts relate to assets whereby we are the lessor under an operating lease.
Leases	Lessee accounting Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of the three months ended March 31, 2020 where we are the lessee include: Maturity of lease liabilities (in thousands) Operating Leases Finance Leases Total 2020 (Excluding three months ended March 31, 2020) $ 2,186 $ 112 $ 2,298 2021 2,842 120 2,962 2022 2,863 120 2,983 2023 2,994 120 3,114 2024 3,300 4,060 7,360 Thereafter 32,773 — 32,773 Total Lease Payments $ 46,958 $ 4,532 $ 51,490 Less: Imputed interest (20,875 ) (433 ) (21,308 ) Present Value of Lease Liabilities $ 26,083 $ 4,099 $ 30,182 ROU assets and lease liabilities for finance and operating leases as included in our Consolidated Financial Statements are as follows: Lease Asset and Liabilities (in thousands) Description Financial Statement Classification March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Lease Assets Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities Other asset, net $ 4,099 $ 4,081 Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities Other asset, net $ 25,442 $ 23,751 Right-of-use asset obtained relative to below market operating lease Other asset, net $ 28,178 $ 28,366 Lease Liabilities Finance lease liabilities Other liabilities $ 4,099 $ 4,081 Operating lease liabilities Other liabilities $ 26,083 $ 24,222 Lease expense for finance and operating leases as included in our Consolidated Financial Statements are as follows: Lease Expense (in thousands) Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Description Financial Statement Classification March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 Finance lease expense Amortization of right-of-use assets Interest expense $ (18 ) $ (18 ) Interest on lease liabilities Interest expense 26 26 Operating lease cost General and administrative expense, Property operating and maintenance 974 822 Variable lease cost Property operating and maintenance 369 319 Total Lease Expense $ 1,351 $ 1,149 Lease term, discount rates and additional information for finance and operating leases are as follows: Lease Term and Discount Rate March 31, 2020 Weighted-average remaining lease terms (years) Finance lease 4.25 Operating lease 25.60 Weighted-average discount rate Finance lease 2.50 % Operating lease 4.14 % Other Information (in thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities Operating Cash Flow from Operating leases $ 590 $ 450 Financing Cash Flow from Finance leases 8 8 Total Cash Paid on Lease Liabilities $ 598 $ 458 As of the three months ended March 31, 2020 , we have an additional executive office space operating lease for $2.9 million with a lease term of seven years . Related Party Leases: Lease of Executive Offices. Gary A. Shiffman, together with certain of his family members, indirectly owns an equity interest of approximately 28.1 percent in American Center LLC, the entity from which we lease office space for our principal executive offices. Each of Brian M. Hermelin, Ronald A. Klein and Arthur A. Weiss indirectly owns a less than one percent interest in American Center LLC. Mr. Shiffman is our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Each of Mr. Hermelin, Mr. Klein and Mr. Weiss is a director of the Company. Under this agreement, we lease approximately 103,100 rentable square feet of permanent space. The initial term of the lease is until October 31, 2026, and the current average gross base rent is $18.95 per square foot until October 31, 2020 with graduated rental increases thereafter. We entered into an additional office space operating lease which commenced in January 2020. Under this agreement, we lease approximately 20,087 rentable square feet of permanent space. The initial term of the lease is until October 31, 2026 and the average gross base rent is $18.95 per square foot until October 31, 2020 with graduated rent increases thereafter. Each of Mr. Shiffman, Mr. Hermelin, Mr. Klein and Mr. Weiss may have a conflict of interest with respect to his obligations as our officer and/or director and his ownership interest in American Center LLC. Lessor Accounting We are not the lessor for any finance leases as of March 31, 2020 . Over 95 percent of our operating leases where we are the lessor are either month to month or for a time period not to exceed one year. As of the reporting date, future minimum lease payments would not exceed twelve months. Similarly, over 94 percent of our investment property, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and related depreciation amounts relate to assets whereby we are the lessor under an operating lease.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Adopted In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments . ” “CECL” This update replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. As of January 1, 2020, we adopted the fair value option for our installment notes receivable on manufactured homes and the notes receivable within the GTSC JV which resulted in fair value adjustments of $1.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively. We also adopted the fair value option on notes receivable from real estate developers. The carrying values of those notes generally approximate their fair market values either due to the short-term nature of the loan and/or or the note being secured by underlying collateral and/or personal guarantees. The adoption of CECL had an immaterial impact on our remaining financial instruments within the CECL scope. Refer to Note 4 , “ Notes and Other Receivables .”, and Note 6 . “ Investment in Affiliates .” for additional detail.

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event

Revenue (Tables)

Revenue (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue	The following tables details our revenue by major source (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Revenues Income from real property $ 237,785 $ — $ 237,785 $ 215,083 $ — $ 215,083 Revenue from home sales — 40,587 40,587 — 39,618 39,618 Rental home revenue — 15,472 15,472 — 13,971 13,971 Ancillary revenue 10,195 — 10,195 10,178 — 10,178 Interest income 2,350 — 2,350 4,800 — 4,800 Brokerage commissions and other revenues, net 3,913 — 3,913 3,680 — 3,680 Total Revenues $ 254,243 $ 56,059 $ 310,302 $ 233,741 $ 53,589 $ 287,330

Real Estate Acquisitions (Table

Real Estate Acquisitions (Tables)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition	2019 we acquired the following communities: Community Name Type Sites Development Sites State Month Acquired Slickrock Campground RV 193 — UT December Pandion Ridge RV 142 351 AL November Jensen Portfolio (1) MH 5,230 466 Various October Glen Ellis RV 244 40 NH September Leisure Point Resort (2) MH / RV 502 — DE September Reunion Lake RV 202 69 LA July River Plantation RV 309 — TN May Massey’s Landing RV RV 291 — DE February Shelby Properties (3) MH 1,308 — MI February Buena Vista MH 400 — AZ February Country Village Estates (4) MH 518 — OR January Hid’n Pines RV RV 321 — ME January Hacienda del Rio MH (Age-Restricted) 730 — FL January Total 10,390 926 (1) Contains 31 communities located in CT, GA, MD, NH, NJ, NY, NC and SC. In conjunction with the acquisition, we issued 1,972,876 shares of common stock, net of fractional shares paid in cash. (2) Contains 201 MH sites and 301 RV sites. (3) Contains two MH communities. (4) In conjunction with the acquisition, we issued Series D Preferred Operating Partnership (“OP”) Units. As of December 31, 2019, 488,958 Series D Preferred OP Units were outstanding. March 31, 2020 , we acquired the following communities: Community Name Type Sites Development Sites State Month Acquired Cape Cod (1) RV 230 — MA January Jellystone Natural Bridge RV 299 — VA February Total 529 —
Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation	At Acquisition Date Consideration Investment in property In-place leases and other intangible assets Other assets (liabilities), net Total identifiable assets acquired net of liabilities assumed Cash and escrow Temporary and permanent equity Total consideration Cape Cod $ 13,350 $ 150 $ (295 ) $ 13,205 $ 4,205 $ 9,000 $ 13,205 Jellystone Natural Bridge 11,364 80 (391 ) 11,053 11,053 — 11,053 Total $ 24,714 $ 230 $ (686 ) $ 24,258 $ 15,258 $ 9,000 $ 24,258	The following table summarizes the amounts of assets acquired net of liabilities assumed at the acquisition date and the consideration paid for the acquisitions completed in 2019 (in thousands): At Acquisition Date Consideration Investment in property Inventory of manufactured homes In-place leases and other intangible assets Other assets (liabilities), net Total identifiable assets acquired net of liabilities assumed Cash and escrow Debt assumed Temporary and permanent equity Total consideration Slickrock Campground $ 8,250 $ — $ — $ 8 $ 8,258 $ 8,258 $ — $ — $ 8,258 Pandion Ridge 19,070 — — (92 ) 18,978 18,978 — — 18,978 Jensen Portfolio 374,402 3,605 7,752 3,938 389,697 18,306 58,000 313,391 389,697 Glen Ellis 5,955 — — (79 ) 5,876 1,976 3,900 — 5,876 Leisure Point Resort 43,632 18 850 (678 ) 43,822 43,822 — — 43,822 Reunion Lake 23,493 — — (1,153 ) 22,340 22,340 — — 22,340 River Plantation 22,589 75 — — 22,664 22,664 — — 22,664 Massey's Landing 36,250 — 220 (446 ) 36,024 36,024 — — 36,024 Shelby Properties 85,969 2,011 6,520 (1,015 ) 93,485 93,485 — — 93,485 Buena Vista 20,221 439 1,590 (93 ) 22,157 22,157 — — 22,157 Country Village 62,784 — 2,020 31 64,835 12,905 — 51,930 64,835 Hid'n Pines 10,680 — 70 (233 ) 10,517 10,517 — — 10,517 Hacienda del Rio 111,971 15 3,280 (237 ) 115,029 115,029 — — 115,029 Total $ 825,266 $ 6,163 $ 22,302 $ (49 ) $ 853,682 $ 426,461 $ 61,900 $ 365,321 $ 853,682
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	The total amount of revenues and net income included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 related to the acquisitions completed in 2020 are set forth in the following table (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Total revenues $ 92 Net loss $ (106 ) The information presented below has been prepared for comparative purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of either future results of operations or the results of operations that would have actually occurred had the acquisition been consummated on January 1, 2019 (in thousands, except per-share data): Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 Total revenues $ 310,711 $ 288,136 Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders $ (14,776 ) $ 40,078 Net income / (loss) per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic $ (0.16 ) $ 0.47 Net income / (loss) per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted $ (0.16 ) $ 0.47

Notes And Other Receivables (Ta

Notes And Other Receivables (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Schedule of notes and other receivables	The following table sets forth certain information regarding notes and other receivables (in millions): March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net $ 92.2 $ 95.6 Notes receivable from real estate developers 37.5 19.0 Other receivables, net 57.0 43.3 Total Notes and Other Receivables, net $ 186.7 $ 157.9

Intangible Assets Intangible As

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	The gross carrying amounts, and accumulated amortization are as follows (in thousands): March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Intangible Asset Useful Life Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization In-place leases 7 years $ 127,148 $ (77,999 ) $ 127,313 $ (74,548 ) Franchise agreements and other intangible assets 7 - 20 years 16,944 (2,965 ) 16,943 (2,760 ) Total $ 144,092 $ (80,964 ) $ 144,256 $ (77,308 )
Schedule of Intangible Assets Amortization Expense	Total amortization expense related to the intangible assets are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Intangible Asset Amortization Expense March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 In-place leases $ 3,451 $ 3,672 Franchise fees and other intangible assets 205 205 Total $ 3,656 $ 3,877
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	We anticipate amortization expense for our intangible assets to be as follows for the next five years (in thousands): Year Remainder 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Estimated expense $ 11,665 $ 15,164 $ 10,562 $ 7,187 $ 4,825

Investment In Affiliates (Table

Investment In Affiliates (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments	The investment balance in each nonconsolidated affiliate is as follows (in thousands): Investment March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Investment in RezPlot $ 3,684 $ 4,184 Investment in Sungenia JV 11,576 11,995 Investment in GTSC 19,028 18,488 Investment in OFS LLC 186 148 Investment in SV Lift 3,470 2,961 Total $ 37,944 $ 37,776 The income / (loss) from each nonconsolidated affiliate is as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Income / (Loss) from Nonconsolidated Affiliates March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 RezPlot equity loss $ (500 ) $ (189 ) Sungenia JV equity loss (115 ) (40 ) GTSC equity income 760 575 OFS LLC equity income 38 42 SV Lift equity loss (131 ) — Total Income / (Loss) from Nonconsolidated Affiliates $ 52 $ 388

Consolidated Variable Interes_2

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
DisclosureofVariableInterestEntities [Abstract]
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities	The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities of Sun NG Resorts, Rudgate, and NG Sun Whitewater RV LLC included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets after eliminations (in thousands): March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Assets Investment property, net $ 350,019 $ 344,300 Other assets, net 23,751 23,894 Total Assets $ 373,770 $ 368,194 Liabilities and Other Equity Debt $ 46,727 $ 46,993 Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts - mandatorily redeemable 35,249 35,249 Other liabilities 19,604 13,631 Total Liabilities 101,580 95,873 Equity Interest - NG Sun LLC & NG Sun Whitewater RV LLC 26,063 27,091 Noncontrolling interests 9,374 8,542 Total Liabilities and Other Equity $ 137,017 $ 131,506

Debt And Lines Of Credit (Table

Debt And Lines Of Credit (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of debt and lines of credit [Table Text Block]	The following table sets forth certain information regarding debt including premiums, discounts and deferred financing costs (in thousands): Carrying Amount Weighted Average Years to Maturity Weighted Average Interest Rates March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Collateralized term loans - Life Companies $ 1,701,478 $ 1,710,408 16.9 17.1 4.0 % 4.0 % Collateralized term loans - FNMA 902,375 697,589 9.0 7.0 3.4 % 3.7 % Collateralized term loans - CMBS 296,753 397,868 3.4 3.1 4.9 % 5.1 % Collateralized term loans - FMCC 373,202 374,727 4.6 4.9 3.9 % 3.9 % Total collateralized term loans 3,273,808 3,180,592 Preferred equity - Sun NG Resorts - mandatorily redeemable 35,249 35,249 2.5 2.8 6.0 % 6.0 % Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable 34,663 34,663 5.9 4.0 5.9 % 6.5 % Lines of credit 582,774 183,898 3.2 3.5 1.8 % 2.7 % Total debt $ 3,926,494 $ 3,434,402 10.6 11.1 3.6 % 4.0 %

Equity and Temporary Equity (Ta

Equity and Temporary Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Activity of Conversions	Three Months Ended Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 Series Conversion Rate Units/Shares Converted Common Stock (1) Units/Shares Converted Common Stock (1) Common OP unit 1.0000 11,949 11,949 6,533 6,533 Series A-1 preferred OP unit 2.4390 6,677 16,283 3,950 9,633
Schedule of Dividends Payable	Cash Distributions Record Date Payment Date Distribution per Share Total Distribution (thousands) Common Stock, Common OP units and Restricted Stock 3/31/2020 4/15/2020 $ 0.79 $ 75,631

Share-Based Compensation (Table

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense [Abstract]
Schedule of Restricted Stock Granted	uring the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , shares were granted as follow: Grant Period Type Plan Shares Granted Grant Date Fair Value Per Share Vesting Type Vesting Anniversary Percentage 2020 Key Employees 2015 Equity Incentive Plan 51,790 $ 162.42 (1) Time Based 20.0% annually over 5 years 2020 Executive Officers 2015 Equity Incentive Plan 46,000 $ 165.97 (1) Time Based 20.0% annually over 5 years 2020 Executive Officers 2015 Equity Incentive Plan 69,000 (2) $ 125.47 (2) Market Condition 3rd 100.0 % 2020 Directors 2004 Non-Employee Director Option Plan 10,200 $ 147.97 (1) Time Based 3rd 100.0 % 2019 Executive Officers 2015 Equity Incentive Plan 44,000 $ 115.39 (1) Time Based 20.0% annually over 5 years 2019 Executive Officers 2015 Equity Incentive Plan 66,000 (3) $ 115.39 (3) Market Condition 3rd 100.0 % 2019 Directors 2004 Non-Employee Director Option Plan 18,000 $ 113.68 (1) Time Based 3rd 100.0 % (1) The fair values of the grants were determined by using the average closing price of our common stock on the dates the shares were issued. (2) Share-based compensation for restricted stock awards with market conditions is measured based on an estimate of shares expected to vest. We estimate the fair value of share-based compensation for restricted stock with market conditions using a Monte Carlo simulation. At the grant date our common stock price was $165.97 . Based on the Monte Carlo simulation we expect 75.6% of the 69,000 shares to vest. (3) Share-based compensation for restricted stock awards with market conditions is measured based on an estimate of shares expected to vest. We estimate the fair value of share-based compensation for restricted stock with market conditions using a Monte Carlo simulation. At the grant date our common stock price was $115.39 . Based on the Monte Carlo simulation we expect 75.1% of the 66,000 shares to vest.

Segment Reporting (Tables)

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	A presentation of segment financial information is summarized as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Revenues $ 247,980 $ 56,059 $ 304,039 $ 225,261 $ 53,589 $ 278,850 Operating expenses / Cost of sales 88,715 35,526 124,241 80,340 34,109 114,449 Net Operating Income / Gross Profit 159,265 20,533 179,798 144,921 19,480 164,401 Adjustments to arrive at net income / (loss) Interest and other revenues, net 6,263 — 6,263 8,480 — 8,480 Home selling expenses — (3,992 ) (3,992 ) — (3,324 ) (3,324 ) General and administrative expenses (22,556 ) (2,961 ) (25,517 ) (19,234 ) (2,653 ) (21,887 ) Catastrophic weather-related charges, net (606 ) — (606 ) (782 ) — (782 ) Depreciation and amortization (62,706 ) (20,983 ) (83,689 ) (58,245 ) (18,311 ) (76,556 ) Loss on extinguishment of debt (3,279 ) — (3,279 ) (653 ) — (653 ) Interest expense (32,408 ) (8 ) (32,416 ) (34,010 ) (4 ) (34,014 ) Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity (1,041 ) — (1,041 ) (1,094 ) — (1,094 ) Gain / (loss) on remeasurement of marketable securities (28,647 ) — (28,647 ) 267 — 267 Gain / (loss) on foreign currency translation (17,462 ) (17 ) (17,479 ) 1,964 1 1,965 Other income / (expense), net (303 ) 1 (302 ) (104 ) 37 (67 ) Loss on remeasurement of notes receivable (2,112 ) — (2,112 ) — — — Income from nonconsolidated affiliates — 52 52 — 388 388 Loss on remeasurement of investment in nonconsolidated affiliates — (2,191 ) (2,191 ) — — — Current tax expense (296 ) (154 ) (450 ) (122 ) (92 ) (214 ) Deferred tax benefit 130 — 130 217 — 217 Net Income / (Loss) (5,758 ) (9,720 ) (15,478 ) 41,605 (4,478 ) 37,127 Less: Preferred return to preferred OP units / equity 1,570 — 1,570 1,323 — 1,323 Less: Income / (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests (555 ) (407 ) (962 ) 1,259 (218 ) 1,041 Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. (6,773 ) (9,313 ) (16,086 ) 39,023 (4,260 ) 34,763 Less: Preferred stock distribution — — — 432 — 432 Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. Common Stockholders $ (6,773 ) $ (9,313 ) $ (16,086 ) $ 38,591 $ (4,260 ) $ 34,331
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated	March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Real Property Operations Home Sales and Rentals Consolidated Identifiable assets Investment property, net $ 6,689,866 $ 598,535 $ 7,288,401 $ 6,651,275 $ 581,345 $ 7,232,620 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 348,470 46,270 394,740 (8,346 ) 43,176 34,830 Marketable securities 55,602 — 55,602 94,727 — 94,727 Inventory of manufactured homes 128 64,308 64,436 — 62,061 62,061 Notes and other receivables, net 170,569 16,123 186,692 142,509 15,417 157,926 Other assets, net 163,864 55,312 219,176 167,804 52,092 219,896 Total assets $ 7,428,499 $ 780,548 $ 8,209,047 $ 7,047,969 $ 754,091 $ 7,802,060

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	Computations of basic and diluted earnings / (loss) per share were as follows (in thousands, except per share data): Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 Numerator Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. Common Stockholders $ (16,086 ) $ 34,331 Less allocation to restricted stock awards (254 ) 437 Basic earnings - Net income / (loss) attributable to common stockholders after allocation to restricted stock awards $ (15,832 ) $ 33,894 Add allocation to restricted stock awards (254 ) 437 Diluted earnings - Net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation to restricted stock awards $ (16,086 ) $ 34,331 Denominator Weighted average common shares outstanding 92,410 85,520 Add: dilutive stock options 1 1 Add: dilutive restricted stock 524 512 Diluted weighted average common shares and securities 92,935 86,033 Earnings / (Loss) Per Share Available to Common Stockholders After Allocation Basic earnings / (loss) per share $ (0.17 ) $ 0.40 Diluted earnings / (loss) per share $ (0.17 ) $ 0.40
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the outstanding securities that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as of March 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands): As of March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 Common OP units 2,408 2,719 A-3 preferred OP units 40 40 A-1 preferred OP units 303 328 Series C preferred OP units 310 314 Series D preferred OP units 489 489 Aspen preferred OP units 1,284 1,284 Series E preferred OP units 90 — Series A-4 preferred stock — 1,063 A-4 preferred OP units — 410 Total Securities 4,924 6,647

Fair Value of Financial Instr_2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	The table below sets forth our financial assets and liabilities that required disclosure of fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2020 . The table presents the carrying values and fair values of our financial instruments as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , that were measured using the valuation techniques described above (in thousands). The table excludes other financial instruments such as cash and cash equivalents, other receivables, and accounts payable as the carrying values associated with these instruments approximate fair value since their maturities are less than one year. March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Financial Assets Carrying Value Fair Carrying Value Fair Marketable securities $ 55,602 $ 55,602 $ 94,727 $ 94,727 Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net 92,208 92,208 95,580 95,580 Notes receivable from real estate developers 37,481 37,481 18,960 18,960 Total $ 185,291 $ 185,291 $ 209,267 $ 209,267 Financial Liabilities Debt $ 3,343,720 $ 3,381,041 $ 3,250,504 $ 3,270,544 Lines of credit 582,774 582,774 183,898 183,898 Other liabilities (contingent consideration) 4,133 4,133 6,134 6,134 Total $ 3,930,627 $ 3,967,948 $ 3,440,536 $ 3,460,576

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Lease, Cost [Table Text Block]		for finance and operating leases as included in our Consolidated Financial Statements are as follows: Lease Asset and Liabilities (in thousands) Description Financial Statement Classification March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Lease Assets Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities Other asset, net $ 4,099 $ 4,081 Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities Other asset, net $ 25,442 $ 23,751 Right-of-use asset obtained relative to below market operating lease Other asset, net $ 28,178 $ 28,366 Lease Liabilities Finance lease liabilities Other liabilities $ 4,099 $ 4,081 Operating lease liabilities Other liabilities $ 26,083 $ 24,222 Lease expense for finance and operating leases as included in our Consolidated Financial Statements are as follows: Lease Expense (in thousands) Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Description Financial Statement Classification March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 Finance lease expense Amortization of right-of-use assets Interest expense $ (18 ) $ (18 ) Interest on lease liabilities Interest expense 26 26 Operating lease cost General and administrative expense, Property operating and maintenance 974 822 Variable lease cost Property operating and maintenance 369 319 Total Lease Expense $ 1,351 $ 1,149
Finance Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block]	Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of the three months ended March 31, 2020 where we are the lessee include: Maturity of lease liabilities (in thousands) Operating Leases Finance Leases Total 2020 (Excluding three months ended March 31, 2020) $ 2,186 $ 112 $ 2,298 2021 2,842 120 2,962 2022 2,863 120 2,983 2023 2,994 120 3,114 2024 3,300 4,060 7,360 Thereafter 32,773 — 32,773 Total Lease Payments $ 46,958 $ 4,532 $ 51,490 Less: Imputed interest (20,875 ) (433 ) (21,308 ) Present Value of Lease Liabilities $ 26,083 $ 4,099 $ 30,182
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block]	Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of the three months ended March 31, 2020 where we are the lessee include: Maturity of lease liabilities (in thousands) Operating Leases Finance Leases Total 2020 (Excluding three months ended March 31, 2020) $ 2,186 $ 112 $ 2,298 2021 2,842 120 2,962 2022 2,863 120 2,983 2023 2,994 120 3,114 2024 3,300 4,060 7,360 Thereafter 32,773 — 32,773 Total Lease Payments $ 46,958 $ 4,532 $ 51,490 Less: Imputed interest (20,875 ) (433 ) (21,308 ) Present Value of Lease Liabilities $ 26,083 $ 4,099 $ 30,182

Basis of Presentation Basis of

Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Percent Manufactured Housing Residents	0.66
Percent Recreational Vehicle Guests	0.34

Revenue (Details)

Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	$ 237,785	$ 215,083
Revenues	310,302	287,330
Income From Real Property [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	237,785	215,083
Revenue From Home Sales [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	40,587	39,618
Rental Home Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	15,472	13,971
Ancillary Revenues [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	10,195	10,178
Interest [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	2,350	4,800
Brokerage Commissions And Other Revenues, Net [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	3,913	3,680
Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	254,243	233,741
Real Property Operations Segment [Member] | Income From Real Property [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	237,785	215,083
Real Property Operations Segment [Member] | Revenue From Home Sales [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	0	0
Real Property Operations Segment [Member] | Rental Home Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	0	0
Real Property Operations Segment [Member] | Ancillary Revenues [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	10,195	10,178
Real Property Operations Segment [Member] | Interest [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	2,350	4,800
Real Property Operations Segment [Member] | Brokerage Commissions And Other Revenues, Net [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	3,913	3,680
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	56,059	53,589
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] | Income From Real Property [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	0	0
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] | Revenue From Home Sales [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	40,587	39,618
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] | Rental Home Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	15,472	13,971
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] | Ancillary Revenues [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	0	0
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] | Interest [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	0	0
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] | Brokerage Commissions And Other Revenues, Net [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	$ 0	$ 0

Revenue Contract Balances (Deta

Revenue Contract Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Contract with Customer, Asset, Reclassified to Receivable	$ 27.6	$ 20.9

Real Estate Acquisitions, Sched

Real Estate Acquisitions, Schedule of Properties Acquired (Details)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)sitedevelopment_siteshares	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)expansion_sitecommunitysitesshares	Dec. 31, 2019site	Dec. 31, 2019shares	Dec. 31, 2019development_site	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of sites suitable for development | expansion_site			900
Number of MH Sites | sites			201
Investment in property		$ 24,714,000					$ 825,266,000
Sites | site		529		10,390
Development Sites | development_site		0				926
Shares outstanding | shares					488,958
Inventory of manufactured homes							6,163,000
In-place leases and other intangible assets		$ 230,000					22,302,000
Other assets (liabilities), net		(686,000)					49,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net		24,258,000					853,682,000
Cash		15,258,000	$ 426,461,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt							61,900,000
Total consideration transferred		24,258,000	853,682,000
Equity		9,000,000	$ 365,321,000
Number of RV Sites | sites			301
Number of Motor Home Communities | community			2
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares | shares			1,972,876
Purchase of Tangible Property	$ 300,000
Slick Rock [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites | site				193
Development Sites | development_site						0
Cape Cod [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property		$ 13,350,000					8,250,000
Sites | site		230
Development Sites | development_site		0
Inventory of manufactured homes							0
In-place leases and other intangible assets		$ 150,000					0
Other assets (liabilities), net		(295,000)					(8,000)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net		13,205,000					8,258,000
Cash		4,205,000	$ 8,258,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt							0
Total consideration transferred		13,205,000	8,258,000
Equity		9,000,000	0
Jensen Property Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property							374,402,000
Development Sites				5,230		466
Inventory of manufactured homes							3,605,000
In-place leases and other intangible assets							7,752,000
Other assets (liabilities), net							(3,938,000)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net							389,697,000
Cash			18,306,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt							58,000,000
Total consideration transferred			389,697,000
Equity			$ 313,391,000
Number of Motor Home Communities | community			31
Jellystone Natural Bridge [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property		$ 11,364,000
Sites | site		299
Development Sites | development_site		0
In-place leases and other intangible assets		$ 80,000
Other assets (liabilities), net		(391,000)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net		11,053,000
Cash		11,053,000
Total consideration transferred		11,053,000
Equity		$ 0
Reunion Lake [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property							23,493,000
Sites | site				202
Development Sites | development_site						69
Inventory of manufactured homes							0
In-place leases and other intangible assets							0
Other assets (liabilities), net							1,153,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net							22,340,000
Cash			$ 22,340,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt							0
Total consideration transferred			22,340,000
Equity			0
River Plantation [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property							22,589,000
Sites | site				309
Development Sites | development_site						0
Inventory of manufactured homes							75,000
In-place leases and other intangible assets							0
Other assets (liabilities), net							0
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net							22,664,000
Cash			22,664,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt							0
Total consideration transferred			22,664,000
Equity			0
Massey's Landing [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property							36,250,000
Sites | site				291
Development Sites | development_site						0
Inventory of manufactured homes							0
In-place leases and other intangible assets							220,000
Other assets (liabilities), net							446,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net							36,024,000
Cash			36,024,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt							0
Total consideration transferred			36,024,000
Equity			0
Archview [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property							19,070,000
Sites | site				142
Development Sites | development_site						351
Inventory of manufactured homes							0
In-place leases and other intangible assets							0
Other assets (liabilities), net							92,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net							18,978,000
Cash			18,978,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt							0
Total consideration transferred			18,978,000
Equity			0
The Sands [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property							5,955,000
Sites | site				244
Development Sites | development_site						40
Inventory of manufactured homes							0
In-place leases and other intangible assets							0
Other assets (liabilities), net							79,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net							5,876,000
Cash			1,976,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt							3,900,000
Total consideration transferred			5,876,000
Equity			0
Sun NG RV Resorts [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property							43,632,000
Sites | site				502
Development Sites | development_site						0
Inventory of manufactured homes							18,000
In-place leases and other intangible assets							850,000
Other assets (liabilities), net							678,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net							43,822,000
Cash			43,822,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt							0
Total consideration transferred			43,822,000
Equity			0
Shelby Properties [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property							85,969,000
Sites | site				1,308
Development Sites | development_site						0
Inventory of manufactured homes							2,011,000
In-place leases and other intangible assets							6,520,000
Other assets (liabilities), net							1,015,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net							93,485,000
Cash			93,485,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt							0
Total consideration transferred			93,485,000
Equity			0
Buena Vista [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property							20,221,000
Sites | site				400
Development Sites | development_site						0
Inventory of manufactured homes							439,000
In-place leases and other intangible assets							1,590,000
Other assets (liabilities), net							93,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net							22,157,000
Cash			22,157,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt							0
Total consideration transferred			22,157,000
Equity			0
Country Village [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property							62,784,000
Sites | site				518
Development Sites | development_site						0
Inventory of manufactured homes							0
In-place leases and other intangible assets							2,020,000
Other assets (liabilities), net							(31,000)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net							64,835,000
Cash			12,905,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt							0
Total consideration transferred			64,835,000
Equity			51,930,000
Hid'n Pines [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property							10,680,000
Sites | site				321
Development Sites | development_site						0
Inventory of manufactured homes							0
In-place leases and other intangible assets							70,000
Other assets (liabilities), net							233,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net							10,517,000
Cash			10,517,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt							0
Total consideration transferred			10,517,000
Equity			0
Hacienda del Rio [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property							111,971,000
Sites | site				730
Development Sites | development_site						0
Inventory of manufactured homes							15,000
In-place leases and other intangible assets							3,280,000
Other assets (liabilities), net							237,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net							115,029,000
Cash			115,029,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt							$ 0
Total consideration transferred			115,029,000
Equity			$ 0
Series D Preferred OP Units
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Shares outstanding | shares		488,958

Real Estate Acquisitions, Sch_2

Real Estate Acquisitions, Schedule of Other Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Apr. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs			$ 900
At acquistion date
Investment in property			24,714	$ 825,266
Inventory of manufactured homes				6,163
In-place leases and other intangible assets			230	22,302
Other assets (liabilities), net			(686)	49
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed			24,258	853,682
Consideration
Cash			15,258	426,461
Debt assumed				61,900
Equity			9,000	365,321
Total consideration transferred			24,258	853,682
Cape Cod [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property			13,350	8,250
Inventory of manufactured homes				0
In-place leases and other intangible assets			150	0
Other assets (liabilities), net			(295)	(8)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed			13,205	8,258
Consideration
Cash			4,205	8,258
Debt assumed				0
Equity			9,000	0
Total consideration transferred			13,205	8,258
Pandion Ridge [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property				19,070
Inventory of manufactured homes				0
In-place leases and other intangible assets				0
Other assets (liabilities), net				92
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed				18,978
Consideration
Cash				18,978
Debt assumed				0
Equity				0
Total consideration transferred				18,978
Jensen Property Acquisition [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property				374,402
Inventory of manufactured homes				3,605
In-place leases and other intangible assets				7,752
Other assets (liabilities), net				(3,938)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed				389,697
Consideration
Cash				18,306
Debt assumed				58,000
Equity				313,391
Total consideration transferred				389,697
Glen Ellis [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property				5,955
Inventory of manufactured homes				0
In-place leases and other intangible assets				0
Other assets (liabilities), net				79
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed				5,876
Consideration
Cash				1,976
Debt assumed				3,900
Equity				0
Total consideration transferred				5,876
Leisure Point Resort [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property				43,632
Inventory of manufactured homes				18
In-place leases and other intangible assets				850
Other assets (liabilities), net				678
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed				43,822
Consideration
Cash				43,822
Debt assumed				0
Equity				0
Total consideration transferred				43,822
Reunion Lake [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property				23,493
Inventory of manufactured homes				0
In-place leases and other intangible assets				0
Other assets (liabilities), net				1,153
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed				22,340
Consideration
Cash				22,340
Debt assumed				0
Equity				0
Total consideration transferred				22,340
River Plantation [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property				22,589
Inventory of manufactured homes				75
In-place leases and other intangible assets				0
Other assets (liabilities), net				0
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed				22,664
Consideration
Cash				22,664
Debt assumed				0
Equity				0
Total consideration transferred				22,664
Massey's Landing [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property				36,250
Inventory of manufactured homes				0
In-place leases and other intangible assets				220
Other assets (liabilities), net				446
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed				36,024
Consideration
Cash				36,024
Debt assumed				0
Equity				0
Total consideration transferred				36,024
Shelby Properties [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property				85,969
Inventory of manufactured homes				2,011
In-place leases and other intangible assets				6,520
Other assets (liabilities), net				1,015
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed				93,485
Consideration
Cash				93,485
Debt assumed				0
Equity				0
Total consideration transferred				93,485
Buena Vista [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property				20,221
Inventory of manufactured homes				439
In-place leases and other intangible assets				1,590
Other assets (liabilities), net				93
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed				22,157
Consideration
Cash				22,157
Debt assumed				0
Equity				0
Total consideration transferred				22,157
Country Village [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property				62,784
Inventory of manufactured homes				0
In-place leases and other intangible assets				2,020
Other assets (liabilities), net				(31)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed				64,835
Consideration
Cash				12,905
Debt assumed				0
Equity				51,930
Total consideration transferred				64,835
Hid'n Pines [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property				10,680
Inventory of manufactured homes				0
In-place leases and other intangible assets				70
Other assets (liabilities), net				233
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed				10,517
Consideration
Cash				10,517
Debt assumed				0
Equity				0
Total consideration transferred				10,517
Hacienda del Rio [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property				111,971
Inventory of manufactured homes				15
In-place leases and other intangible assets				3,280
Other assets (liabilities), net				237
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed				115,029
Consideration
Cash				115,029
Debt assumed				0
Equity				0
Total consideration transferred				$ 115,029
Jellystone Natural Bridge [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property			11,364
In-place leases and other intangible assets			80
Other assets (liabilities), net			(391)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed			11,053
Consideration
Cash			11,053
Equity			0
Total consideration transferred			$ 11,053
Chincoteague [Member]
Consideration
Total consideration transferred	$ 19,500
Strafford [Member]
Consideration
Total consideration transferred		$ 2,700

Real Estate Acquisitions, Pro F

Real Estate Acquisitions, Pro Forma (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Land			$ 7,700
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Total revenues	$ 92
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	(106)
Acquisitions - 2019 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenues		$ 288,136
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders		$ 40,078
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic		$ 0.47
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted		$ 0.47
Acquisitions - 2020 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenues	310,711
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$ (14,776)
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic	$ (0.16)
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted	$ (0.16)

Notes and Other Receivables, Sc

Notes and Other Receivables, Schedule of notes and other receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total notes and other receivables, net	$ 186,692	$ 157,926
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total notes and other receivables, net		95,600
Notes due from Real Estate Developers [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total notes and other receivables, net	37,500	19,000
Other receivables, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total notes and other receivables, net	$ 57,000	43,300
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total notes and other receivables, net		$ 95,580

Notes And Other Receivables Not

Notes And Other Receivables Notes and Other Receivables, Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss	$ 186,692	$ 157,926
Notes Receivable, Fair Value Adjustment	$ 0	100
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss		$ 95,600
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	$ (600)
Receivable with Imputed Interest, Effective Yield (Interest Rate)	8.00%	8.00%
Receivable With Imputed Interest, Term	15 years 7 months 6 days	15 years 9 months 18 days
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss		$ 95,580
Fair Value, Recurring [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes Receivable, Fair Value Adjustment	$ (2,100)
Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes Receivable, Fair Value Adjustment	(1,100)	1,000
Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes Receivable, Fair Value Adjustment		0
Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss	92,208	95,580
Notes Receivable, Fair Value Adjustment		$ 0	$ 0
Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss	$ 92,208

Notes and Other Receivables, _2

Notes and Other Receivables, Schedule of installment notes receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss	$ 186,692	$ 157,926
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Notes Receivable, Fair Value Adjustment	$ 0	100
Receivable with Imputed Interest, Net Amount	92,200	95,600
Collateralized receivables, net and Installment Notes Receivables on Manufactured Homes [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Increase to reserve balance	600	0
Beginning balance	600	700
Ending balance	0	600
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss		95,600
Notes due from Real Estate Developers [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss	37,500	19,000
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, gross [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning balance	96,200	113,500
Financed sales of manufactured homes	300	300
Principal payments and payoffs from our customers	(2,000)	(8,700)
Principal reduction from repossessed homes	1,200	8,900
Ending balance	93,300	96,200
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss		95,580
Fair Value, Recurring [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes Receivable, Fair Value Adjustment	(2,100)
Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes Receivable, Fair Value Adjustment	(1,100)	1,000
Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss	92,208
Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes Receivable, Fair Value Adjustment		0
Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss	$ 92,208	95,580
Notes Receivable, Fair Value Adjustment		$ 0	$ 0

Notes and Other Receivables, Al

Notes and Other Receivables, Allowance for installment notes receivable (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Other Receivables	$ 4.8

Notes And Other Receivables N_2

Notes And Other Receivables Notes and Other Receivables, Other receivables - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes Receivable, Fair Value Adjustment	$ 0	$ 100
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Other receivables for rent, water, sewer usage	$ 16,000	7,800
Allowance for rent, water, sewer usage receivables	(1,800)	(2,200)
Contract with Customer, Asset, Reclassified to Receivable	27,600	20,900
Insurance receivables	8,000	9,900
Other Receivables	5,500
Fair Value, Recurring [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes Receivable, Fair Value Adjustment	(2,100)
Fair Value, Recurring [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes Receivable, Fair Value Adjustment	$ (1,100)	$ 1,000

Intangible Assets Intangible _2

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets, Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 144,092		$ 144,256
Accumulated Amortization	$ (80,964)		(77,308)
Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	7 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 127,148		127,313
Accumulated Amortization	(77,999)		(74,548)
Franchise Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	16,944		16,943
Accumulated Amortization	$ (2,965)		$ (2,760)
Minimum [Member] | Franchise Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		7 years
Maximum [Member] | Franchise Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		20 years

Intangible Assets Intangible _3

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets, Schedule of Intangible Asset Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 3,656	$ 3,877
Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	3,451	3,672
Franchise Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 205	$ 205

Intangible Assets, Intangibles

Intangible Assets, Intangibles Future Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Remainder 2020	$ 11,665
2021	15,164
2022	10,562
2023	7,187
2024	$ 4,825

Investment In Affiliates , Narr

Investment In Affiliates , Narrative (Details)	Sep. 30, 2019	Jan. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
RezPlot [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage		50.00%
Sungenia JV [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%
GTSC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	40.00%		40.00%
Origen Financial Services [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	22.90%		22.90%

Investment in Affiliates, Inves

Investment in Affiliates, Investment Balance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments		$ 52	$ 388
Equity Method Investments		37,944		$ 37,776
RezPlot [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments		(500)	(189)
Equity Method Investments		3,684		4,184
Sungenia JV [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments		(115)	(40)
Equity Method Investments		11,576		11,995
GTSC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	$ 760	760	575	2,803
Equity Method Investment, Fair Value Adjustment	(2,191)			0
Equity Method Investments	19,028	19,028		18,488	$ 29,780
Equity Method Investment, Adjustment, Allowance for Losses	0			144
Equity Method Investments, Initial Fair Value Adjustment	317			0
Equity Method Investment, Cash Contributions	3,689			33,143
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution	$ (2,035)			(47,382)
Origen Financial Services [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments		38	42
Equity Method Investments		186		148
SV Lift [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments		(131)	$ 0
Equity Method Investments		$ 3,470		$ 2,961

Consolidated Variable Interes_3

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities, Schedule of Variable Interest Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment property, net	$ 7,288,401	$ 7,232,620
Other assets, net (including $23,751 and $23,894 for consolidated VIEs at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019; see Note 7)	219,176	219,896
Mortgage loans payable (including $46,727 and $46,993 for consolidated VIEs at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019; see Note 7)	3,273,808	3,180,592
Other liabilities (including $19,604 and $13,631 for consolidated VIEs at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019; see Note 7)	82,341	81,289
Liabilities	4,346,127	3,848,104
Consolidated VIEs	$ 9,374	$ 8,542
VIE as a Percentage of Consolidated Assets	4.60%	4.70%
VIE as a Percentage of Consolidated Liabilities	2.30%	2.50%
VIE as a Percentage of Total Equity	1.00%
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment property, net	$ 350,019	$ 344,300
Other assets, net (including $23,751 and $23,894 for consolidated VIEs at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019; see Note 7)	23,751	23,894
Total Assets	373,770	368,194
Mortgage loans payable (including $46,727 and $46,993 for consolidated VIEs at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019; see Note 7)	46,727	46,993
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	35,249	35,249	$ 35,249
Other liabilities (including $19,604 and $13,631 for consolidated VIEs at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019; see Note 7)	19,604	13,631
Liabilities	101,580	95,873
Equity Interests	26,063	27,091
Consolidated VIEs	9,374	8,542
Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity	$ 137,017	$ 131,506

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Sche

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Schedule of debt and lines of credit (Details)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)Enc_Community_ReleasedRate	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)Rate	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)Rate	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)Enc_Community_ReleasedRate	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reduction in secured borrowing balance		$ 0	$ 5,055,000
Document Period End Date		Mar. 31, 2020
Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Term	7 years
Secured debt		$ 3,273,808,000			$ 3,180,592,000
Debt weighted average to maturity, years		10 years 7 months 6 days			11 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted average interest rate | Rate		3.60%			4.00%
Lines of credit		$ 582,774,000			$ 183,898,000
Total debt		3,926,494,000			3,434,402,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt		(3,279,000)	(653,000)
Collateralized term loans - CMBS [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt		$ 902,375,000			$ 397,868,000
Debt weighted average to maturity, years		9 years			3 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted average interest rate | Rate		3.40%			5.10%
Secured borrowing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 230,000,000	$ 265,000,000	$ 250,000,000	$ 400,000,000
Debt instrument term		15 years	25 years	10 years	21 years
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		2.995%	4.17%	2.925%	4.026%
Preferred OP units [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt		$ 34,663,000
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable		34,663,000			$ 34,663,000
Debt weighted average to maturity, years					4 years
Weighted average interest rate | Rate					6.50%
Preferred Equity, Mandatorily Redeemable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable		$ 35,249,000			$ 35,249,000	$ 35,200,000
Debt instrument term		2 years 6 months
Debt weighted average to maturity, years					2 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted average interest rate | Rate		6.00%			6.00%
Matures March 1, 2021, 5.837 Percent Interest Rate [Member] [Domain] [Domain] | Secured borrowing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reduction in secured borrowing balance		$ 99,600,000
Interest rate | Rate		5.837%
Loss on extinguishment of debt		$ 3,400,000
Number of Real Estate Units Released | Enc_Community_Released		11,000
Matures July 1, 2020, 5.86 Percent Interest Rate [Member] [Domain] | Secured borrowing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reduction in secured borrowing balance		$ 19,900,000
Interest rate | Rate		5.83%
Loss on extinguishment of debt					$ (100,000)
Number of Real Estate Units Released | Enc_Community_Released		2,000
Matures March 1, 2020, 5.62 Percent Interest Rate [Member] | Secured borrowing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reduction in secured borrowing balance					$ 17,000,000
Interest rate | Rate					5.62%
Loss on extinguishment of debt					$ 0
Federal National Mortgage Association Certificates and Obligations (FNMA) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt		$ 373,202,000			$ 697,589,000
Debt weighted average to maturity, years		4 years 7 months 6 days			7 years
Weighted average interest rate | Rate		3.90%			3.70%
Life Companies [Member] | Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt		$ 1,701,478,000			$ 1,710,408,000
Debt weighted average to maturity, years		16 years 10 months 24 days			17 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted average interest rate | Rate		4.00%			4.00%
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Certificates and Obligations (FHLMC) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt		$ 296,753,000			$ 374,727,000
Debt weighted average to maturity, years		3 years 4 months 24 days			4 years 10 months 24 days
Weighted average interest rate | Rate		4.90%			3.90%
Matures November 1, 2021, 5.10 Percent Interest Rate [Member] | Secured borrowing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reduction in secured borrowing balance					$ 127,300
Interest rate | Rate					5.10%
Loss on extinguishment of debt					$ 3,200,000
Matures March 1 and April 1, 2020, 6.24 Percent Interest Rate [Member] | Secured borrowing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reduction in secured borrowing balance					$ 21,500,000
Interest rate | Rate					6.24%
Loss on extinguishment of debt					$ (200,000)
Number of Real Estate Units Released | Enc_Community_Released					3,000
Matures May 1, 2023, 4.3 Percent Interest Rate [Member] | Secured borrowing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reduction in secured borrowing balance				$ 134,000,000
Interest rate | Rate				4.30%
Loss on extinguishment of debt					$ 12,800,000
Matures January 1, 2030, 3.83 Percent Interest Rate [Member] | Secured borrowing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reduction in secured borrowing balance			$ 186,800,000
Interest rate | Rate			3.83%
Loss on extinguishment of debt			$ 700,000
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Secured borrowing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt weighted average to maturity, years		5 years 10 months 24 days
Weighted average interest rate | Rate		5.90%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Lines of credit		$ 582,774,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt weighted average to maturity, years		3 years 2 months 12 days			3 years 6 months
Weighted average interest rate | Rate		1.80%			2.70%

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narr

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Collateralized Term Loans (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)sitepropertiesRate	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)siteRate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	$ 3,279	$ 653
Reduction in secured borrowing balance	$ 0	5,055
Weighted average interest rate | Rate	3.60%			4.00%
Sites | site	529			10,390
Debt weighted average to maturity, length	10 years 7 months 6 days			11 years 1 month 6 days
Total debt	$ 3,273,808			$ 3,180,592
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 230,000	$ 265,000	$ 250,000	$ 400,000
Debt instrument term	15 years	25 years	10 years	21 years
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.995%	4.17%	2.925%	4.026%
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate | Rate	3.40%			5.10%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length	9 years			3 years 1 month 6 days
Total debt	$ 902,375			$ 397,868
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net book value of properties securing collateralized term loans	$ 3,200,000
Properties securing debt [Member] | Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Sites | site	73,364
Debt Instrument, number of properties securing a debt instument | properties	185

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Na_2

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Aspen Preferred OP Units and Series B-3 preferred OP units (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019shares$ / sharesRate	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014$ / shares
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Document Period End Date		Mar. 31, 2020
Convertible units to shares (in shares) | shares			1,013,819
Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Rate Of Return	6.00%
Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Term	7 years
Preferred Equity, Mandatorily Redeemable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Value of Shares Issued | $	$ 35,300
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable | $		$ 35,249		$ 35,249	$ 35,200
Preferred OP units [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible units to shares (in shares) | shares			270,000
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable | $		$ 34,663		$ 34,663
Preferred OP units [Member] | Convertible debt - Aspen Preferred OP Units January 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount | $						$ 34,700
Convertible units to shares (in shares) | shares			433,072
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period | Rate			3.80%
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price | $ / shares			$ 27				$ 68
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Percent Of Amount By Which The Market Price Of Common Stock Exceeds Threshold | Rate			25.00%
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted | shares			0.397

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Na_3

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Line of Credit (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Apr. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Feb. 29, 2020	Oct. 31, 2019	May 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Apr. 25, 2017
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Term		7 years
Lines of credit				$ 582,774,000		$ 183,898,000
Weighted average interest rate				3.60%		4.00%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length				10 years 7 months 6 days		11 years 1 month 6 days
A&R Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Lines of credit				$ 100,000,000
Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity											$ 750,000,000
Line of credit, borrowing capacity											1,100,000,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date			May 21, 2023
Line of credit, additional borrowing capacity											350,000,000
Letters of credit outstanding, amount	$ 2,600,000				$ 2,600,000					$ 2,800,000
Line of credit - manufactured home floor plan facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity	$ 12,000,000				$ 12,000,000
Lines of credit				4,000,000		$ 3,300,000
Prime Rate [Member] | Line of credit - manufactured home floor plan facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis points					10000.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity											650,000,000
Long-term Debt				424,900,000		$ 123,600,000
Lines of credit				$ 582,774,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate				1.80%		2.70%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length				3 years 2 months 12 days		3 years 6 months
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Lines of credit				$ 54,200,000		$ 57,000,000		$ 58,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Eurodollar [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit variable interest rate	1.20%				1.20%
Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity									$ 100,000,000		$ 100,000,000
Term Loan [Member] | Eurodollar [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit variable interest rate	1.20%				1.20%
Minimum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Eurodollar [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate											1.20%
Minimum [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate	1.20%				1.20%
Maximum [Member] | Prime Rate [Member] | Line of credit - manufactured home floor plan facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate	7.00%				7.00%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.00%				6.00%
Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Eurodollar [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate											2.10%
Maximum [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate	2.05%				2.05%
GTSC [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity	$ 125,000,000				$ 125,000,000		$ 140,000,000
Long-term Debt	$ 56,000,000				$ 56,000,000	49,400,000
Ownership percentage	40.00%				40.00%					40.00%
GTSC [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 139,900,000				$ 139,900,000	$ 123,400,000
GTSC [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis points	1.65%

Equity and Temporary Equity, Na

Equity and Temporary Equity, Narrative (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended					3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	15 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019USD ($)	May 31, 2019USD ($)shares	Feb. 28, 2019$ / sharesRateshares	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)$ / sharesRateshares	Dec. 31, 2019shares	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)shares	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019shares	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction			3,737,500
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock | $			$ 452,100
Variable Interest Entity, Equity Interests Issued | $		$ 2,400
Issuance of common stock and common OP units, net | $											$ 163,800
Aggregate Value of Shares to be Issued in Accordance to Sales Agreement | $									$ 450,000
Commission, Maximum Percentage of Gross Sales Price Per Share According to Sales Agreement									200.00%
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues										458,541
Shares outstanding							488,958			488,958
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares										1,972,876
Series E Preferred OP Units [Domain]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Temporary Equity, Dividends For Term One, Percentage						5.25%
Series A-4 Preferred Stock, Shares Issued						90,000
Temporary Equity, Issuance Price | $ / shares						$ 100
Temporary Equity, Dividends For Term Two, Percentage | Rate						5.50%
Shares outstanding						90,000
Series D Preferred OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Temporary Equity, Dividends For Term One, Percentage				3.75%
Series A-4 Preferred Stock, Shares Issued				488,958
Temporary Equity, Issuance Price | $ / shares				$ 100
Temporary Equity, Dividends For Term Two, Percentage | Rate				4.00%
Shares outstanding						488,958
Series A-4 Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Temporary Equity, Dividends For Term One, Percentage										6.50%
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)										1,031,747
Series A-4 Preferred Stock, Shares Issued						0	0			0
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends per common share | $ / shares						$ 0.79
Common OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Series A-4 Preferred Stock, Shares Issued							180,277			180,277
Series A-4 preferred OP units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)										405,656
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock and common OP units, net | $						$ 1		$ 1
Conversion of Common OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)						11,949		6,533
Conversion of Common OP Units | Common OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)						11,949
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)						6,677		3,950
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units | Common OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)						16,283		9,633
NG Sun LLC [Member] | Sun NG RV Resorts [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Equity Interests Issued, Floating Rate						5.00%
NG Sun LLC [Member] | Common Stock | Sun NG RV Resorts [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Equity Interests Issued | $					$ 6,500
Sun NG RV Resorts [Member] | Common Stock | Sun NG RV Resorts [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Equity Interests Issued | $					$ 15,400
Forecast [Member] | Series D Preferred OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Per Share Upon Conversion	100
Jensen Communities [Domain] | Common OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares							1,972,876

Equity and Temporary Equity, Co

Equity and Temporary Equity, Conversion of Stock (Details)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019$ / sharesRateshares	Mar. 31, 2020shares	Mar. 31, 2019shares	Dec. 31, 2019shares
Conversion of Common OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of units			11,949	6,533
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of units			6,677	3,950
Series D Preferred OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Temporary Equity, Dividends For Term Two, Percentage | Rate		4.00%
Temporary Equity, Shares Issued		488,958
Temporary Equity, Issuance Price | $ / shares		$ 100
Common OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Temporary Equity, Shares Issued					180,277
Common OP Units | Conversion of Common OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion Rate			1
Conversion of units			11,949
Common OP Units | Series A-1 Preferred OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion Rate			2.4390
Conversion of units			16,283	9,633
Forecast [Member] | Series D Preferred OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Per Share Upon Conversion	100

Equity and Temporary Equity Equ

Equity and Temporary Equity Equity and Temporary Equity, Dividends Payable Table (Details) - Common Stock $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)$ / shares
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends per common share | $ / shares	$ 0.79
Subsequent Event [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Payments of dividends | $	$ 75,631

Equity and Temporary Equity E_2

Equity and Temporary Equity Equity and Temporary Equity, Schedule of Sale of Common Stock (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended	15 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Aggregate Value of Shares to be Issued in Accordance to Sales Agreement	$ 450
Issuance of common stock and common OP units, net		$ 163.8

Share-Based Compensation (Detai

Share-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Percent Expected To Vest	75.60%	75.10%
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised		$ 0.1
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	144,231
Executive Officer [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2015 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage	100.00%	100.00%
Director [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2004 Non-employee Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage		100.00%
Time Based [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2015 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, shares (in shares)		44,000
Weighted average grant date fair value		$ 115.39
Time Based [Member] | Director [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2004 Non-employee Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, shares (in shares)	10,200	18,000
Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 147.97	$ 113.68
Market Condition [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2015 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, shares (in shares)	69,000	66,000
Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 125.47	$ 115.39
Common Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share Price	$ 165.97	$ 115.39
Exercises in period	0	1,500
Award Date One [Member] | Time Based [Member] | Key Employees [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2015 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, shares (in shares)	51,790
Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 162.42
Award Date Two [Member] | Time Based [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2015 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, shares (in shares)	46,000
Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 165.97

Segment Reporting Segment Repor

Segment Reporting Segment Reporting, Seasonality (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019segment	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | segment					2
Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Expected annual transient RV revenue | $	$ 121.5					$ 25.3
Transient RV rental revenue recognized as a percentage	16.40%	40.30%	23.20%	20.10%

Segment Reporting Results of Op

Segment Reporting Results of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue From Home Sales	$ 310,302	$ 287,330
Home selling expenses	(3,992)	(3,324)
General and administrative expenses	(25,517)	(21,887)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(3,279)	(653)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity	(1,041)	(1,094)
Catastrophic weather related charges	(606)	(782)
Gain / (loss) on remeasurement of marketable securities (see Note 14)	(28,647)	267
Gain / (loss) on foreign currency translation	(17,479)	1,965
Distributions from Affiliate	52	388
Loss on Remeasurement of Investment	(2,191)	0
Other expense, net	(302)	(67)
Loss on Remeasurement of Notes Receivable	(2,112)	0
Deferred tax benefit	130	217
Net Income / (Loss)	(15,478)	37,127
Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units	1,570	1,323
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	(962)	1,041
Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	(16,086)	34,763
Less: Preferred stock distributions	0	432
Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. Common Stockholders	(16,086)	34,331
Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue From Home Sales	254,243	233,741
Net Income / (Loss)	(5,758)	41,605
Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units	1,570	1,323
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	(555)	1,259
Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	(6,773)	39,023
Less: Preferred stock distributions	0	432
Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. Common Stockholders	(6,773)	38,591
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue From Home Sales	56,059	53,589
Net Income / (Loss)	(9,720)	(4,478)
Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units	0	0
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	(407)	(218)
Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	(9,313)	(4,260)
Less: Preferred stock distributions	0	0
Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. Common Stockholders	(9,313)	(4,260)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue From Home Sales	304,039	278,850
Operating expenses / Cost of sales	124,241	114,449
Net Operating Income / Gross Profit	179,798	164,401
Operating Segments [Member] | Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue From Home Sales	247,980	225,261
Operating expenses / Cost of sales	88,715	80,340
Net Operating Income / Gross Profit	159,265	144,921
Operating Segments [Member] | Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue From Home Sales	56,059	53,589
Operating expenses / Cost of sales	35,526	34,109
Net Operating Income / Gross Profit	20,533	19,480
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest and other revenues, net	6,263	8,480
Home selling expenses	(3,992)	(3,324)
General and administrative expenses	(25,517)	(21,887)
Depreciation and amortization	(83,689)	(76,556)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(3,279)	(653)
Interest expense	(32,416)	(34,014)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity	(1,041)	(1,094)
Catastrophic weather related charges	(606)	(782)
Gain / (loss) on remeasurement of marketable securities (see Note 14)	(28,647)	267
Gain / (loss) on foreign currency translation	(17,479)	1,965
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties	52	388
Loss on Remeasurement of Investment	(2,191)	0
Other expense, net	(302)	(67)
Loss on Remeasurement of Notes Receivable	(2,112)	0
Current tax expense	(450)	(214)
Deferred tax benefit	130	217
Segment Reconciling Items [Member] | Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest and other revenues, net	6,263	8,480
Home selling expenses	0	0
General and administrative expenses	(22,556)	(19,234)
Depreciation and amortization	(62,706)	(58,245)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(3,279)	(653)
Interest expense	(32,408)	(34,010)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity	(1,041)	(1,094)
Catastrophic weather related charges	(606)	(782)
Gain / (loss) on remeasurement of marketable securities (see Note 14)	(28,647)	267
Gain / (loss) on foreign currency translation	(17,462)	1,964
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties	0	0
Loss on Remeasurement of Investment	0	0
Other expense, net	(303)	(104)
Loss on Remeasurement of Notes Receivable	(2,112)	0
Current tax expense	(296)	(122)
Deferred tax benefit	130	217
Segment Reconciling Items [Member] | Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest and other revenues, net	0	0
Home selling expenses	(3,992)	(3,324)
General and administrative expenses	(2,961)	(2,653)
Depreciation and amortization	(20,983)	(18,311)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0
Interest expense	(8)	(4)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity	0	0
Catastrophic weather related charges	0	0
Gain / (loss) on remeasurement of marketable securities (see Note 14)	0	0
Gain / (loss) on foreign currency translation	(17)	1
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties	52	388
Loss on Remeasurement of Investment	(2,191)	0
Other expense, net	1	37
Loss on Remeasurement of Notes Receivable	0	0
Current tax expense	(154)	(92)
Deferred tax benefit	$ 0	$ 0

Segment Reporting Identifiable

Segment Reporting Identifiable Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Investment property, net	$ 7,288,401	$ 7,232,620
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	394,740	34,830	$ 34,175	$ 62,262
Marketable securities	55,602	94,727
Inventory of manufactured homes	64,436	62,061
Notes and other receivables, net	186,692	157,926
Other assets	219,176	219,896
Total Assets	8,209,047	7,802,060
Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Investment property, net	6,689,866	6,651,275
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	348,470	(8,346)
Marketable securities	55,602	94,727
Inventory of manufactured homes	128	0
Notes and other receivables, net	170,569	142,509
Other assets	163,864	167,804
Total Assets	7,428,499	7,047,969
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Investment property, net	598,535	581,345
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	46,270	43,176
Marketable securities	0	0
Inventory of manufactured homes	64,308	62,061
Notes and other receivables, net	16,123	15,417
Other assets	55,312	52,092
Total Assets	$ 780,548	$ 754,091

Income Taxes , Narrative (Detai

Income Taxes , Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Minimum Percent of Income From Qualifying Sources to Allow For Real Estate Investment Trust Classification	9500.00%
Required Minimum Percent of Taxable Income Distributed to Stock Holders	9000.00%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$ 0	$ 0
Provision for state income taxes	500,000	200,000
Deferred tax benefit	130,000	$ 217,000
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	$ 19,100,000
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross			$ 21,000,000

Earnings Per Share , Calculatio

Earnings Per Share , Calculation of Numerator and Denominator (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Numerator
Net Income / (Loss) Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. Common Stockholders	$ (16,086)	$ 34,331
Less allocation to restricted stock awards	(254)	437
Basic earnings - Net income / (loss) attributable to common stockholders after allocation to restricted stock awards	(15,832)	33,894
Add allocation to restricted stock awards	(254)	437
Diluted earnings - Net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation to restricted stock awards	$ (16,086)	$ 34,331
Denominator
Weighted average common shares outstanding	92,410	85,520
Add: dilutive stock options	1	1
Add: dilutive restricted stock	524	512
Diluted weighted average common shares and securities	92,935	86,033
Basic earnings / (loss) per share (see Note 13)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.40
Diluted earnings / (loss) per share (see Note 13)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.40

Earnings Per Share , Antidiluti

Earnings Per Share , Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Loss Per Share (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	4,924	6,647
Common OP Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	2,408	2,719
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	303	328
Series D Preferred OP Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	489	489
Series A-3 Preferred OP Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	40	40
Series A-4 preferred OP units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	0	410
Series A-4 Preferred Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	0	1,063
Series C preferred OP units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	310	314
Aspen Preferred OP Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	1,284	1,284
Series E Preferred OP Units [Domain]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	90	0

Fair Value of Financial Instr_3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments , By Balance Sheet Grouping (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net	$ 186,692	$ 157,926
Notes Receivable, Fair Value Disclosure	37,481	18,960
Financial liabilities
Secured debt	3,273,808	3,180,592
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net		95,600
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Financial liabilities
Debt (excluding secured borrowings)	3,343,720	3,250,504
Lines of credit	582,774	183,898
Other liabilities (contingent consideration)	4,133	6,134
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure	3,930,627	3,440,536
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Financial Assets Fair Value Disclosure	185,291	209,267
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net		95,580
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net	92,208
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Financial Assets Fair Value Disclosure	185,291	209,267
Financial liabilities
Debt (excluding secured borrowings)	3,381,041	3,270,544
Lines of credit	582,774	183,898
Other liabilities (contingent consideration)	4,133	6,134
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure	3,967,948	3,460,576
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net	92,208	95,580
Marketable Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Marketable securities	55,602	94,727	$ 49,037
Marketable Securities [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Marketable securities	55,602	94,727
Marketable Securities [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Marketable securities	$ 55,602	$ 94,727

Fair Value of Financial Instr_4

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Marketable Securities (Details) - Marketable Securities [Member] - Fair Value, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Investment, Additional Purchase	$ 0	$ 8,995
Beginning Balance	94,727	49,037
Ending Balance	55,602	94,727
Investment, Fair Value Adjustment	(28,647)	34,240
Investment, Foreign Current Translation Adjustment	(11,414)	816
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Dividend Reinvestment Plan	$ 936	$ 1,639

Leases - Future Minimum Lease P

Leases - Future Minimum Lease Payments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Operating Leases
2020 (Excluding three months ended March 31, 2020)	$ 2,186
2020	2,842
2021	2,863
2022	2,994
2023	3,300
Thereafter	32,773
Total Lease Payments	46,958
Less: Imputed interest	(20,875)
Present Value of Lease Liabilities	26,083	$ 24,222
Finance Leases
2020 (Excluding three months ended March 31, 2020)	112
2020	120
2021	120
2022	120
2023	4,060
Thereafter	0
Total Lease Payments	4,532
Less: Imputed interest	(433)
Present Value of Lease Liabilities	4,099		$ 4,100
Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Due Year Two	2,962
Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Due Year Three	2,983
Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Due Year Four	3,114
Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Due Year Five	7,360
Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Due after Year Five	32,773
Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Remainder of Fiscal Year	2,298
Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payment, Due	51,490
Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount	(21,308)
Operating And Finance Leases, Liability	$ 30,182

Leases - Additional Information

Leases - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)ft²$ / sqft	Sep. 30, 2019ft²$ / sqft	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating lease liability	$ 26,083		$ 24,222
Finance lease liability	4,099			$ 4,100
Operating lease, not yet commenced	$ 2,900
Term of operating lease not yet commenced	7 years				7 years
CEO | American Center
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Ownership percentage		28.10%
Area of rentable real estate property | ft²	20,087	103,100
Gross base rent (USD per sqft) | $ / sqft	18.95	18.95

Leases - Lease Expense (Details

Leases - Lease Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Amortization of right - of-use assets	$ (18)	$ (18)
Interest on lease liabilities	26	26
Operating lease cost	974	822
Total lease expense	1,351	1,149
Operating cash flow used for operating leases	590	450
Financing cash flow used for finance leases	8	8
Right of use asset obtained (land) in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	4,099
Capital Leased Assets, Gross			$ 4,081
Right of use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	25,442		23,751
Right of use asset obtained relative to below market operating leases	$ 28,178
Amortization of above and below Market Leases			28,366
Weighted - average remaining lease term - finance leases (in years)	4 years 3 months
Weighted - average remaining lease term - operating leases (in years)	25 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted - average discount rate - finance leases (annual)	2.50%
Weighted - average discount rate - operating leases (annual)	4.14%
Present Value of Lease Liabilities	$ 4,099			$ 4,100
Capital Lease Obligations			4,081
Present Value of Lease Liabilities	26,083		$ 24,222
Operating And Finance Lease, Payments	598	458
Below Market Leases
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Variable lease expense	$ 369	$ 319

Recent Accounting Pronounceme_2

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Fair Value	$ 0.3
Notes Receivable [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Fair Value	$ 1.6