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Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 16, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
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		73,507,706
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 5,092,903,276

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
ASSETS
Land	$ 1,027,976	$ 451,340
Land improvements and buildings	4,825,043	3,535,909
Rental homes and improvements	489,633	460,480
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment	130,127	102,746
Land held for future development	23,560	23,047
Investment property	6,496,339	4,573,522
Accumulated depreciation	1,026,858	852,407
Investment property, net (including $92,009 and $94,230 for consolidated variable interest entities at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014; see Note 7)	5,469,481	3,721,115
Cash and cash equivalents	8,164	45,086
Inventory of manufactured homes	21,632	14,828
Notes and other receivables, net	81,179	47,972
Collateralized receivables, net	143,870	139,768
Other assets, net	146,450	213,030
TOTAL ASSETS	5,870,776	4,181,799
LIABILITIES
Mortgage loans payable (including $64,082 and $65,849 for consolidated variable interest entities at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014; see Note 7)	2,819,567	2,125,267
Secured borrowings on collateralized receivables	144,477	140,440
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	45,903	45,903
Lines of credit	100,095	24,687
Distributions payable	51,896	41,265
Other liabilities (including $4,091 and $1,139 for consolidated variable interest entities at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014; see Note 7)	279,667	184,859
TOTAL LIABILITIES	3,441,605	2,562,421
Commitments and contingencies
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Series A preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Issued and outstanding: 3,400 shares at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	34	34
Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized: 180,000 shares; Issued and outstanding: 58,395 shares at December 31, 2015 and 48,573 shares at December 31, 2014	732	584
Additional paid-in capital	3,321,441	2,319,314
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(3,181)	0
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(1,023,415)	(864,122)
Total Sun Communities, Inc. stockholders' equity	2,295,611	1,455,810
Noncontrolling interests:
Common and preferred OP units	69,598
Consolidated variable interest entities	(2,982)	(1,767)
Total noncontrolling interests	66,616	80,771
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	2,362,227	1,536,581
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	5,870,776	4,181,799
Series A-4 Preferred Stock [Member]
LIABILITIES
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Preferred, Carrying Amount	50,227	61,732
Series A-4 Preferred Op Units [Member]
LIABILITIES
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Preferred, Carrying Amount	$ 16,717	21,065
Noncontrolling interests:
Common and preferred OP units		$ 82,538

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investment property, net	$ 5,469,481	$ 3,721,115
Other assets, net	146,450	213,030
Secured debt	2,819,567	2,125,267
Other liabilities	$ 279,667	$ 184,859
Series A Preferred Stock, Par Value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Series A Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	3,400,000	3,400,000
Series A Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	3,400,000	3,400,000
Common Stock, Par Value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	180,000,000	180,000,000
Common Stock, Shares Issued	732,016,000	58,395,000
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	73,206	58,395
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Investment property, net	$ 88,987	$ 92,009
Other assets, net	3,054	3,823
Secured debt	62,111	64,082
Other liabilities	$ 1,998	$ 4,091
Series A-4 Preferred Stock [Member]
Series A Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding		6,364,770
Series A-4 Preferred Stock, Par Value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Series A-4 Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	1,681,000	2,067,000
Series A-4 Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	1,681,000	2,067,000

Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
REVENUES
Income from real property	$ 620,917	$ 506,078	$ 357,793
Revenue from home sales	110,507	79,728	53,954
Rental home revenue	47,780	46,236	39,213
Ancillary revenues	33,424	24,532	17,801
Interest	18,113	15,938	14,462
Brokerage commissions and other revenues, net	3,037	2,219	1,036
Total revenues	833,778	674,731	484,259
COSTS AND EXPENSES
Property operating and maintenance	173,274	135,797	101,134
Real estate taxes	44,306	34,714	24,181
Cost of home sales	80,420	58,941	40,556
Rental home operating and maintenance	24,294	24,956	23,270
Ancillary expenses	23,425	17,519	12,584
Home selling expenses	9,744	7,476	5,235
General and administrative	64,087	47,455	37,387
Transaction costs	31,914	17,803	18,259
Depreciation and amortization	221,770	177,637	133,726
Asset impairment charge	0	0	837
Extinguishment of debt	1,127	2,800	0
Interest	119,163	107,659	73,771
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units	3,152	3,219	3,210
Total expenses	796,676	635,976	474,150
Income before other items	37,102	38,755	10,109
Other expenses, net	(5,848)	0	0
Gain on disposition of properties, net	0	125,376	17,654
Gain on settlement	0	0	4,452
Current tax expense	(683)	(158)	(219)
Deferred tax (benefit) expense	(400)	1,000	0
Deferred tax benefit (expense)	(283)
Income from affiliate transactions	500	7,500	1,200
Net income	31,471	170,473	33,196
Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units	5,006	4,973	2,935
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	150	10,054	1,752
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	26,315	155,446	28,509
Less: Preferred stock distributions	8,946	13,793	6,133
Less: Preferred stock redemption costs	0	4,328	0
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$ 17,369	$ 137,325	$ 22,376
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	65,856	53,686	41,337
Diluted	66,321	53,702	41,805
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic	$ 0.27	$ 2.53	$ 0.54
Diluted	$ 0.26	$ 2.52	$ 0.54

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 31,471	$ 170,473	$ 33,196
Foreign currency translation adjustment		0	0
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps	0	0	97
Total comprehensive income (loss)	28,070	170,473	33,293
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(70)	10,054	1,483
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	$ 28,140	$ 160,419	$ 31,810

Consolidated Statement Of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	Distributions in Excess of Accumulated Earnings	Noncontrolling Interests	Stockholders' Equity, Total [Member]	Series A Preferred Stock
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013		$ 361	$ 1,141,590	$ (366)	$ (773,301)	$ 15,223	$ 383,541	$ 34
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock from exercise of options, net			127				127
Net Proceeds (in Millions)		125	594,940			(2,638)	592,427
Conversion of Series A-4 preferred stock	$ 0
Issuance and associated costs of Series A Preferred Stock						100	100
Share-based compensation - amortization and forfeitures			4,706		173		4,879
Net income	33,196				31,444	1,782	33,226
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps	97			366		(269)	97
Distributions					(121,861)	(8,567)	130,428
Issuance of common OP units						24,064	24,064
Settlement of membership interest			(209)			(4)	(213)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014		486	1,741,154	0	(863,545)	29,691	907,820	34
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock from exercise of options, net			95				95
Net Proceeds (in Millions)		98	564,260			52,921	617,279
Conversion of Series A-4 preferred stock	6,900		6,900				6,900
Share-based compensation - amortization and forfeitures			6,905		203		7,108
Net income	170,473				160,418	9,185	(169,603)
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps	0
Distributions					(156,870)	(11,026)	(167,896)
Issuance of preferred OP units					(4,328)		(4,328)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	1,536,581	584	2,319,314	0	(864,122)	80,771	1,536,581	34
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock from exercise of options, net			149				149
Net Proceeds (in Millions)		144	981,174			(2,687)	978,631
Conversion of Series A-4 preferred stock	11,503		11,503				11,503
Share-based compensation - amortization and forfeitures		4	9,301		252		9,557
Net income	31,471				31,321	60	31,381
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps	0			(3,181)		(220)	(3,401)
Distributions	179,400				190,866	11,308	(202,174)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 2,362,227	$ 732	$ 3,321,441	$ (3,181)	$ (1,023,415)	$ 66,616	$ 2,362,227	$ 34

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 31,471,000	$ 170,473,000	$ 33,196,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on disposition of assets	(11,224,000)	(5,051,000)	(2,748,000)
Gain on disposition of properties, net	0	(125,376,000)	(17,654,000)
Gain on acquisition of property	(510,000)	0	0
Foreign currency exchange loss	5,005,000	0	0
Contingent liability remeasurement loss	181,000	0	0
Asset impairment charges	0	0	837,000
Share-based compensation	9,557,000	7,108,000	4,879,000
Depreciation and amortization	218,669,000	174,589,000	131,003,000
Deferred tax (benefit) expense	(400,000)	1,000,000	0
Amortization of below market lease	(6,570,000)	(5,073,000)	0
Amortization of debt premium	(10,693,000)	(10,483,000)	0
Amortization of deferred financing costs	2,160,000	1,936,000	1,056,000
Amortization of ground lease intangibles	600,000	0	0
Income from affiliate transactions	(500,000)	(7,500,000)	(1,200,000)
Change in notes receivable from financed sales of inventory homes, net of repayments	(20,933,000)	(9,270,000)	(15,300,000)
Change in inventory, other assets and other receivables, net	28,118,000	(14,618,000)	(11,144,000)
Change in other liabilities	(6,238,000)	4,528,000	10,395,000
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	238,693,000	182,263,000	133,320,000
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in properties	(223,429,000)	(208,427,000)	(177,866,000)
Acquisition of properties	(1,487,593,000)	(309,274,000)	(426,591,000)
Payments for deposits on acquisitions	0	(2,260,000)	(17,064,000)
Proceeds related to affiliate dividend distribution	500,000	7,500,000	1,200,000
Proceeds from disposition of land	0	0	221,000
Proceeds related to disposition of assets and depreciated homes, net	4,709,000	6,848,000	3,312,000
Proceeds related to the disposition of properties	88,696,000	94,522,000	59,706,000
Issuance of notes and other receivables	(10,633,000)	(1,755,000)	297,000
Payment for membership interest	0	(2,102,000)	0
Repayments of notes and other receivables	13,238,000	1,764,000	6,080,000
NET CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(1,614,512,000)	(413,184,000)	(550,705,000)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance and associated costs of common stock, OP units and preferred OP units, net	750,385,000	310,301,000	572,171,000
Net proceeds from stock option exercise	149,000	95,000	127,000
Distributions to stockholders, OP unit holders, and preferred OP unit holders	(193,740,000)	(162,491,000)	(121,377,000)
Payment Of Preferred Stock Redemption Costs	0	(4,328,000)	0
Payments to retire preferred operating partnership units	0	0	(1,119,000)
Payments for Repurchase of Preferred Stock and Preference Stock	0	(121,445,000)	0
Borrowings on lines of credit	580,754,000	421,184,000	526,546,000
Payments on lines of credit	(505,409,000)	(401,978,000)	(702,135,000)
Proceeds from issuance of other debt	964,252,000	377,041,000	323,241,000
Payments on other debt	(231,912,000)	(225,677,000)	(95,269,000)
Proceeds received from return of prepaid deferred financing costs	0	6,852,000	2,384,000
Payments for deferred financing costs	(25,509,000)	(7,006,000)	(8,478,000)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FOR FINANCING ACTIVITIES	1,338,970,000	192,548,000	496,091,000
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents	(73,000)	0	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(36,922,000)	(38,373,000)	78,706,000
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	45,086,000	83,459,000	4,753,000
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	8,164,000	45,086,000	83,459,000
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest	121,480,000	99,989,000	60,289,000
Cash paid for interest on mandatorily redeemable debt	3,152,000	3,222,000	3,225,000
Income Taxes Paid	452,000	310,000
Cash paid for state income taxes			314,000
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps	0	0	97,000
Reduction in secured borrowing balance	19,734,000	26,293,000	21,812,000
Change in distributions declared and outstanding	9,626,000	6,744,000	9,051,000
Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted	5,933,000	5,491,000	1,707,000
Conversion Of Series A Four Preferred Stock	11,503,000	6,900,000	0
Escrow Deposits Related to Property Sales	0	126,339,000	0
Settlement of membership interest	0	2,786,000	213,000
Noncash investing and financing activities at the date of acquisition:
Acquisitions - Series A-3 preferred OP units issued	0	380,043,000	209,658,000
Acquisitions - Series A-4 Preferred OP units issued	0	1,000,000
Acquisitions - Series A-4 Preferred Stock issued	0	175,613,000	18,852,000
Acquisitions - Common stock and OP units issued	225,000,000	278,955,000	13,610,000
Acquisitions - debt assumed			44,321,000
Stock issued during period, value, Series C preferred OP units	0	33,154,000	0
Acquisitions - other liabilities	0	0	4,221,000
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Contingent Consideration Liability	$ 9,830,000	$ 0	$ 0

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Interest Costs Capitalized	$ 1,595	$ 608	$ 464
Income Taxes Paid	452	310
Federal
Income Taxes Paid	$ 245	$ 0	$ 0

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	1. Significant Accounting Policies Business 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 are a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”). We own, operate, and develop manufactured housing ("MH") and recreational vehicle ("RV") communities throughout the United States ("U.S."). As of December 31, 2016, we owned and operated a portfolio of 341 properties located in 29 states and Ontario, Canada (collectively the “Properties”), including 226 MH communities, 87 RV communities, and 28 Properties containing both MH and RV sites. As of December 31, 2016, the Properties contained an aggregate of 117,376 developed sites comprised of 80,166 developed MH sites, 20,916 annual RV sites (inclusive of both annual and seasonal usage rights), and 16,294 transient RV sites. There are approximately 10,616 additional MH and RV sites suitable for development. Principles of Consolidation The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include our accounts and all majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries, including entities in which we have a controlling interest or have been determined to be the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity ("VIE"). All inter-company transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Any subsidiaries in which we have an ownership percentage equal to or greater than 50%, but less than 100%, or considered a VIE, represent subsidiaries with a noncontrolling interest. The noncontrolling interests in our subsidiaries are allocated their proportionate share of the subsidiaries’ financial results. This allocation is recorded as the noncontrolling interest in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions related to the reported amounts included in our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying footnotes thereto. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Investment Property Investment property is recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation. We review the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used for impairment quarterly or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate a possible impairment. Our primary indicator for potential impairment is based on NOI trends period over period. Circumstances that may prompt a test of recoverability may include a significant decrease in the anticipated market price, an adverse change to the extent or manner in which an asset may be used or in its physical condition or other such events that may significantly change the value of the long-lived asset. An impairment loss is recognized when a long-lived asset’s carrying value is not recoverable and exceeds estimated fair value. We estimate the fair value of our long-lived assets based on discounted future cash flows and any potential disposition proceeds for a given asset. Forecasting cash flows requires management to make estimates and assumptions about such variables as the estimated holding period, rental rates, occupancy, development, and operating expenses during the holding period, as well as disposition proceeds. Management uses its best judgment when developing these estimates and assumptions, but the development of the projected future cash flows is based on subjective variables. Future events could occur which would cause us to conclude that impairment indicators exist, and significant adverse changes in national, regional, or local market conditions or trends may cause us to change the estimates and assumptions used in our impairment analysis. The results of an impairment analysis could be material to our financial statements. We periodically receive offers from interested parties to purchase certain of our properties. These offers may be the result of an active program initiated by us to sell the property, or from an unsolicited offer to purchase the property. The typical sale process involves a significant negotiation and due diligence period between us and the potential purchaser. As the intent of this process is to determine if there are items that would cause the purchaser to be unwilling to purchase or we would be unwilling to sell, it is not unusual for such potential offers of sale/purchase to be withdrawn as such issues arise. We classify assets as “held for sale” when it is probable, in our opinion, that a sale transaction will be completed within one year. This typically occurs when all significant contingencies surrounding the closing have been resolved, which often corresponds with the closing date. We allocate the purchase price of properties to net tangible and identified intangible assets acquired based on their fair values. In making estimates of fair values for purposes of allocating purchase price, we utilize an independent third-party to value the net tangible and identified intangible assets in connection with the acquisition of the respective property. We provide historical and pro forma financial information obtained about each property, as well as any other information needed in order for the third-party to ascertain the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets (including in-place leases) acquired. Capitalized Costs We capitalize certain costs incurred in connection with the development, redevelopment, capital enhancement and leasing of our properties. Management is required to use professional judgment in determining whether such costs meet the criteria for immediate expense or capitalization. The amounts are dependent on the volume and timing of such activities and the costs associated with such activities. Maintenance, repairs and minor improvements to properties are expensed when incurred. Renovations and improvements to properties are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives and construction costs related to the development of new community or expansion sites are capitalized until the property is substantially complete. Costs incurred to initially renovate pre-owned and repossessed homes that we acquire for our Rental Program are capitalized and costs incurred to refurbish the homes at turnover and repair the homes while occupied are expensed. Certain expenditures to dealers and residents related to obtaining lessees in our communities are capitalized and amortized over a seven-year period based on the anticipated term of occupancy of a resident. Costs associated with implementing our computer systems are capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful lives of the related software and hardware. Costs incurred to obtain new financing are capitalized and amortized over the terms of the related loan agreement using the straight-line method (which approximates the effective interest method). Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents. The maximum amount of credit risk arising from cash deposits in excess of federally insured amounts was approximately $10.1 million and $41.4 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Inventory Inventory of manufactured homes is stated at lower of specific cost or market based on the specific identification method. Investments in Affiliates Investments in affiliates in which we do not have a controlling direct or indirect voting interest, but can exercise significant influence over the entity with respect to its operations and major decisions, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The carrying value of our investment is adjusted for our proportionate share of the affiliate’s net income or loss and reduced by distributions received. We review the carrying value of our investment in affiliates for other than temporary impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate a possible impairment. Financial condition, operational performance, and other economic trends are some of the factors we consider when we evaluate the existence of impairment indicators. When we have a carrying value of zero for our investment, we suspend the equity method of accounting until such time that the affiliate’s net income equals or exceeds the share of net losses not recognized during the time in which the equity method of accounting was suspended. See Note 6, "Investment in Affiliates," for additional information. Notes and Other Receivables We provide financing to purchasers of manufactured homes generally located in our communities. The notes are collateralized by the underlying manufactured home sold. Notes receivable include both installment loans purchased by the Company as well as transferred loans that have not met the requirements for sale accounting which are presented herein as collateralized receivables. For purposes of accounting policy, all notes receivable are considered one homogenous segment, as the notes are typically underwritten using the same requirements and terms. Notes receivable are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balance adjusted for an allowance for loan loss. Interest income is accrued based upon the unpaid principal balance of the loans. Past due status of our notes receivable is determined based upon the contractual terms of the note. When a note receivable becomes 60 days delinquent, we stop accruing interest on the note receivable. The interest on nonaccrual loans is accounted for on the cash basis until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. Loans on a nonaccrual status were immaterial at December 31, 2016 and 2015. The ability to collect our notes receivable is measured based on current and historical information and events. We consider numerous factors including: length of delinquency, estimated costs to lease or sell, and repossession history. Our experience supports a high recovery rate for notes receivable; however, there is some degree of uncertainty about the recoverability of our investment in these notes receivable. We are generally able to recover our recorded investment in uncollectible notes receivable by repossessing the homes on the notes retained by us and repurchasing the homes on the collateralized receivables, and subsequently selling or leasing these homes to potential residents in our communities. We have established a loan loss reserve based on our estimated unrecoverable costs associated with repossessed/repurchased homes. We estimate our unrecoverable costs to be the repurchase price of the home collateralizing the note receivable plus repair and remarketing costs in excess of the estimated selling price of the home being repossessed. A historical average of this excess cost is calculated based on prior repossessions/repurchases and is applied to our estimated annual future repossessions to create the allowance for both installment and collateralized notes receivable. We evaluate the collectability of a loan based on our ability to collect the scheduled payments of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. We generally see that if the obligor is delinquent on the loan they are also delinquent on site rent. If the scheduled payment is delinquent more than five to seven days, dependent on state law, we begin the repossession and eviction process simultaneously. A specific allowance is estimated on the past due loans based on historical delinquency data and current delinquency levels. We evaluate the credit quality of our notes receivable at the inception of the receivable. We consider the following factors in order to determine the credit quality of the applicant - rental payment history; home debt to income ratio; loan value to the collateralized asset; total debt to income ratio; length of employment; previous landlord references; and FICO scores. Other receivables are generally comprised of amounts due from residents for rent and related charges, home sale proceeds receivable from sales near year end and various other miscellaneous receivables. Accounts receivable from residents are typically due within 30 days and stated at amounts due from residents net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due. We evaluate the recoverability of our receivables whenever events occur or there are changes in circumstances such that management believes it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan and lease agreements. Receivables related to community rents are reserved when we believe that collection is less than probable, which is generally after a resident balance reaches 60 to 90 days past due. Restricted Cash Restricted cash consists of amounts held in deposit for tax, insurance and repair escrows held by lenders in accordance with certain debt agreements. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, $17.1 million and $140.7 million of restricted cash, respectively, was included as a component of Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Identified Intangible Assets The Company amortizes identified intangible assets that are determined to have finite lives over the period the assets are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the future cash flows of the property or business. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the carrying amounts of the identified intangible assets are included in Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 5, "Intangible Assets," for additional information. Deferred Taxes We are subject to certain state taxes that are considered to be income taxes and have certain subsidiaries that are taxed as regular corporations for U.S. (i.e., federal, state, local, etc.) and non-U.S. income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets or liabilities are recognized for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial statements and net operating loss carryforwards in certain subsidiaries, including those domiciled in foreign jurisdictions, which may be realized in future periods if the respective subsidiary generates sufficient taxable income. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using currently enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is established if, based on the available evidence, it is considered more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. See Note 12, "Income Taxes," for additional information. Deferred Financing Costs Deferred financing costs include fees and costs incurred to obtain long-term financing. The costs are amortized over the terms of the respective loans. Unamortized deferred financing costs are written off when debt is retired before the maturity date. Upon amendment of the line of credit or refinancing of mortgage debt, unamortized deferred financing costs are accounted for in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 470-50-40, "Modifications and Extinguishments." Refer to Note 17, "Recent Accounting Pronouncements," regarding our adoption of FASB Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-03, and the presentation of deferred financing costs in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. Share-Based Compensation Share-based compensation cost for service vesting restricted stock awards is measured based on the closing share price of our common stock on the date of grant. Share-based compensation for restricted stock awards with performance conditions is measured based on an estimate of shares expected to vest. If it is not probable that the performance conditions will be satisfied, we do not recognize compensation expense. We measure the fair value of awards with performance conditions using the closing price of our common stock as of the grant date to calculate compensation cost. We estimate the fair value of share-based compensation for restricted stock with market conditions using a Monte Carlo simulation. We recognize compensation cost ratably over each tranche of shares based on the fair value estimated by the model. Share-based compensation cost for stock options is estimated at the grant date based on each option’s fair-value as calculated by the Binomial (lattice) option-pricing model. The Binomial (lattice) option-pricing model incorporates various assumptions including expected volatility, expected life, dividend yield, and interest rates. See Note 10, "Share-Based Compensation" for additional information. Fair Value of Financial Instruments Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable, derivative instruments, debt and a contingent consideration liability. We utilize fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures, pursuant to FASB ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures". See Note 16, "Fair Value of Financial Instruments," for additional information regarding the estimates and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of each financial instrument class. Revenue Recognition Rental income attributable to site and home leases is recorded on a straight-line basis when earned from tenants. Leases entered into by tenants are generally for one year terms, but may range from month-to-month to two years and are renewable by mutual agreement from us and the resident, or in some cases, as provided by state statute. Revenue from the sale of manufactured homes is recognized upon transfer of title at the closing of the sales transaction. Interest income on notes receivable is recorded on a level yield basis over the life of the notes. We report real estate taxes collected from residents and remitted to taxing authorities in revenue. Advertising Costs Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. As of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we had advertising costs of $4.2 million, $3.9 million and $3.2 million, respectively. Depreciation and Amortization Depreciation and amortization are computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Useful lives are 30 years for land improvements and buildings, 10 years for rental homes, seven to 15 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment, four to seven years for computer hardware and software, and seven to 15 years for intangible assets. Foreign Currency The assets and liabilities of our Canadian operations, where the functional currency is the Canadian dollar, are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate in effect as of the balance sheet date. Income statement amounts are translated at the average exchange rate prevailing during the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Foreign currency exchange gains and losses arising from fluctuations in currency exchange rates on transactions and the effects of remeasurement of monetary balances denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded in earnings. For the year ended December 31, 2016, we recorded a foreign currency exchange loss of $5.0 million within Other expenses, net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We had no foreign currency exchange impacts for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities We do not enter into derivative instruments for speculative purposes. We adjust our balance sheet on a quarterly basis to reflect the current fair market value of our derivatives. For those hedges that qualify for cash flow hedge accounting, we adjust our balance sheet on a quarterly basis to reflect current fair market value of our derivatives. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded in earnings or comprehensive income, as appropriate. The ineffective portion of the hedge is immediately recognized in earnings to the extent that the change in value of a derivative does not perfectly offset the change in value of the instrument being hedged. The effective portion of the hedge is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. We use standard market conventions to determine the fair values of derivative instruments, including the quoted market prices or quotes from brokers or dealers for the same or similar instruments. All methods of assessing fair value result in a general approximation of value and such value may never actually be realized. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the fair value of our derivatives was zero. See Note 15, "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" for additional information.

Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions

2016 Acquisitions

Carefree Acquisition

On June 9, 2016, pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement dated March 22, 2016, the Company through the Operating Partnership acquired from Carefree Communities Intermediate Holdings, L.L.C. (the "Seller") all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Carefree Communities Inc. ("Carefree Communities") or ("Carefree"). Carefree owned 103 MH and RV communities, comprising over 27,000 sites.

The aggregate purchase price for the acquisition was $1.68 billion. At the closing, the Company issued the Seller 3,329,880 shares of its common stock (the "Acquisition Shares") at an issuance price of $67.57 per share (or $225.0 million in common stock), and the Operating Partnership paid the balance of the purchase price, or $1.5 billion, in cash. Approximately $1.0 billion of the cash payment was applied simultaneously to pay off debt on the properties owned by Carefree Communities. The Operating Partnership funded the cash portion of the purchase price in part with the proceeds of the Fannie Mae financing and the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company financing described in Note 8, "Debt and Lines of Credit."

On March 30, 2016, we closed on an underwritten public offering of 6,037,500 shares of common stock at a price of $66.50 per share. The net proceeds from the offering of $385.4 million were used to fund a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of Carefree Communities.

We have allocated the "Investment in property" balances for Carefree Communities to the respective balance sheet line items upon preliminary completion of a purchase price allocation in accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 805 - Business Combinations.



At Acquisition Date	Carefree
Investment in property	$	1,670,981
Ground leases	33,270
In-Place leases	35,010
Deferred tax liability	(23,637		)
Other liabilities	(15,665		)
Inventory of manufactured homes	13,521
Below market leases	(29,340		)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed⁽¹⁾	1,684,140

Consideration
Cash and equity	$	1,684,140

⁽¹⁾ The purchase price allocation for Carefree is preliminary and will be adjusted as final costs and values are determined.

The amount of total revenues and net income included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016, related to the Carefree acquisition is set forth in the following table (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31, 2016
	(unaudited)
Revenue	$	97,836
Net income	$	9,070

2016 Other Acquisitions:

In December 2016, we acquired Lake Josephine RV Resort ("Lake Josephine"), a RV resort with 178 sites located in Sebring, Florida.

In October 2016, we acquired Adirondack Gateway Campground RV Resort ("Adirondack Gateway"), a RV resort with 347 sites located in Gansevoort, New York. We recognized a gain on the acquisition of Adirondack Gateway of $0.5 million within Other expenses, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations, as the fair value of the consideration transferred by us was less than the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired.

Also in October 2016, we acquired Jellystone Park Camp Resort ("Jellystone Larkspur"), a RV resort with 148 sites located in Larkspur, Colorado.

In September 2016, we acquired Petoskey RV Resort ("Petoskey"), a RV resort with 78 sites located in Petoskey, Michigan.

In August 2016, we acquired Sunset Beach Resort ("Sunset Beach") in Cape Charles, Virginia. The sellers of Sunset Beach were engaged by the Company to continue to operate and maintain the property. Beginning January 1, 2022, the Company has the option to remove the sellers as operators via a payment based on certain operating performance metrics. Accordingly, total consideration of $28.3 million as of the acquisition date includes a contingent consideration liability of $9.8 million.

The contingent consideration liability represents the present value of the contingent payment estimated at acquisition closing, based on projected future operating performance metrics. The contingent payment is formula-driven, and not capped. The contingent consideration liability will be re-measured at each reporting date, with changes in fair value adjusted through earnings, until the contingency is resolved. The final contingent payment could be materially different from the initial estimate.

In June 2016, we acquired Pecan Park RV Resort ("Pecan Park"), a RV resort with 183 sites located in Jacksonville, Florida.

In March 2016, we acquired Hill Country Cottage and RV Resort ("Hill Country"), a RV resort with 356 sites located in New Braunfels, Texas.

In March 2016, we acquired Kimberly Estates, a MH community with 387 sites located in Frenchtown Township, Michigan.

The following tables summarize the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed (excluding Carefree) at the acquisition dates and the consideration paid for other acquisitions completed in 2016 (in thousands):



At Acquisition Date	Lake Josephine⁽¹⁾		Adirondack Gateway⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾		Jellystone Larkspur⁽¹⁾		Petoskey⁽¹⁾		Sunset Beach⁽¹⁾⁽³⁾		Pecan Park⁽¹⁾		Hill Country⁽¹⁾		Kimberly Estates⁽¹⁾		Total
Investment in property	$	3,400	$	2,590	$	7,516	$	3,500	$	28,283	$	7,000	$	29,990	$	7,313	$	89,592
Inventory of manufactured homes	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		97		97
In-place leases and other intangible assets	—		170		—		—		—		—		10		340		520
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	$	3,400	$	2,760	$	7,516	$	3,500	$	28,283	$	7,000	$	30,000	$	7,750	$	90,209

Consideration
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability	$	3,400	$	2,250	$	7,516	$	3,500	$	28,283	$	7,000	$	30,000	$	7,750	$	89,699

⁽¹⁾ The purchase price allocations for Lake Josephine, Adirondack Gateway, Jellystone Larkspur, Petoskey, Sunset Beach, Pecan Park, Hill Country, and Kimberly Estates are preliminary and may be adjusted as final costs and final valuations are determined.

⁽²⁾Includes the impact of a $0.5 million bargain purchase gain recorded within Other expense, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016.

⁽³⁾Sunset Beach consideration includes a contingent liability of $9.8 million as of the acquisition date. As of December 31, 2016, the contingent consideration liability was $10.0 million.

The amount of revenue and net income included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 related to the 2016 acquisitions other than Carefree is set forth in the following table (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31, 2016
	(unaudited)
Revenue	$	8,540
Net income	$	1,847

The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the results of our operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 as if the properties that we acquired during 2016 were acquired on January 1, 2015. 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 acquisitions been consummated on January 1, 2015 (in thousands, except per-share data).



	Year Ended December 31,
	(unaudited)
	2016		2015
Total revenues	$	910,559	$	848,669
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	38,556	$	195,760
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic	$	0.59	$	3.65
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted	$	0.58	$	3.65

2015 Acquisitions

American Land Lease

First Phase

During 2014, we completed the first phase of the acquisition of the American Land Lease ("ALL") properties. We acquired 32 MH communities with over 9,000 developed sites in 11 states. Included in the total consideration paid for the first phase was the issuance of 361,797 shares of common stock, 501,130 common OP units, 483,317 shares of 6.50% Series A-4 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series A-4 Preferred Stock) and 669,449 Series A-4 preferred OP units.

Second Phase

In 2015, we completed the final phase of the acquisition of the ALL properties. We acquired the remaining 26 communities comprised of over 10,000 sites. Included in the total consideration paid for the second phase was the issuance of 4,377,073 shares of common stock and 5,847,234 shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock. In addition, one of the seller's funds purchased 150,000 shares of our common stock and 200,000 Series A-4 preferred OP units, for an aggregate purchase price of $12.5 million. In August 2015, the Company repurchased 4,066,586 shares of the Series A-4 Preferred Stock.

The following tables summarize the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition dates and the consideration paid (in thousands):



At Acquisition Date	First Phase			Second Phase			Total
Investment in property	$	656,543		$	818,109		$	1,474,652
Notes receivable	5,189			850			6,039
Other (liabilities) assets	(1,705		)	7,405			5,700
In-place leases and other intangible assets	12,870			15,460			28,330
Below market leases	(10,820		)	(54,580		)	(65,400		)
Assumed debt	(199,300		)	(201,466		)	(400,766		)
Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed	$	462,777		$	585,778		$	1,048,555

Consideration
Common OP units⁽¹⁾	$	24,064		$	—		$	24,064
Series A-4 preferred OP units⁽²⁾	18,852			1,000			19,852
Common stock	20,427			259,133			279,560
Series A-4 preferred stock ⁽²⁾	13,697			175,527			189,224
Consideration from new mortgages	100,700			90,794			191,494
Cash consideration transferred	285,037			59,324			344,361
Total consideration transferred	$	462,777		$	585,778		$	1,048,555

⁽¹⁾To estimate the fair value of the common OP units at the valuation date, we utilized the market approach, observing the public price of our common stock.

⁽²⁾ To estimate the fair value of the Series A-4 preferred OP units and the Series A-4 preferred stock at the valuation date, we utilized the income approach. Under this approach, we used the Binomial Lattice Method.

The amount of revenue and net income included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations related to the ALL properties for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and is set forth in the following table (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31, 2015		Year Ended December 31, 2014
	(unaudited)		(unaudited)
Revenue	$	137,035	$	6,515
Net income	$	14,374	$	(6,744	)

2015 Other Acquisitions

In August 2015, we acquired Rock Crusher Canyon RV Resort ("Rock Crusher"), a RV resort with 391 sites located in Crystal Lake, Florida.

In July 2015, we acquired Frontier Town RV Resort ("Frontier Town"), an RV resort with 584 developed sites and expansion potential of 200 sites, located in Berlin, Maryland. We also acquired Fort Whaley RV Resort ("Fort Whaley"), an RV resort with 210 developed sites and expansion potential of nearly 90 sites, located in Whaleyville, Maryland.

In May 2015, we acquired La Hacienda RV Resort ("La Hacienda"), an RV resort with 241 sites located in Austin, Texas. We also acquired Lakeside Crossing, an MH community with 419 sites and expansion potential of nearly 300 sites, located near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

In April 2015, we acquired the Berger portfolio ("Berger"), which consisted of six MH communities with over 3,130 developed sites and expansion potential of approximately 380 sites. Included in the total consideration paid was 371,808 common OP units and 340,206 Series C preferred OP units.

In March 2015, we acquired Meadowlands Gibraltar ("Meadowlands"), an MH community with 321 sites located in Gibraltar, Michigan.

The following tables summarize the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed (excluding ALL) at the acquisition dates and the consideration paid for other acquisitions completed in 2015 (in thousands):



At Acquisition Date	Meadowlands			Berger			Lakeside Crossing			La Hacienda		Frontier Town		Fort Whaley		Rock Crusher		Total
Investment in property	$	8,313		$	268,026		$	35,438		$	25,895	$	62,126	$	5,704	$	5,962	$	411,464
Inventory of manufactured homes	285			—			—			—		—		—		—		285
In-place leases and other intangible assets	270			5,040			520			1,380		70		—		110		7,390
Below market leases	—			(7,840		)	(3,440		)	—		—		—		—		(11,280		)
Assumed debt	(6,318		)	(169,882		)	—			—		—		—		—		(176,200		)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	$	2,550		$	95,344		$	32,518		$	27,275	$	62,196	$	5,704	$	6,072	$	231,659

Consideration
Common OP units	$	—		$	19,650		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	19,650
Series C preferred OP units	—			33,154			—			—		—		—		—		33,154
Note payable	2,377			—			—			—		—		—		—		2,377
Cash consideration transferred	173			42,540			32,518			27,275		62,196		5,704		6,072		176,478
Total consideration transferred	$	2,550		$	95,344		$	32,518		$	27,275	$	62,196	$	5,704	$	6,072	$	231,659

The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the results of our operations for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 as if the properties that we acquired during 2015 were acquired on January 1, 2014. 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 acquisitions been consummated on January 1, 2014 (in thousands, except per-share data).



	Year Ended December 31,
	(unaudited)
	2015		2014
Total revenues	$	688,620	$	623,754
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	158,859	$	57,779
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic	$	2.96	$	1.40
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted	$	2.94	$	1.38

Transaction Costs

Transaction costs of approximately $31.9 million, $17.8 million, and $18.3 million have been incurred for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively, and are presented as “Transaction costs” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Dispositions

There were no property dispositions during 2016, however, during the fourth quarter we terminated a ground lease arrangement in one of the communities acquired in the Carefree transaction. No gain or loss resulted from the ground lease termination.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, we disposed of 17 MH communities and 3 MH and RV combined communities. Pursuant to Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-08, "Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360) - Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity," the disposals of the communities do not qualify for presentation as a discontinued operation, as the sales do not have a major impact on our operations and financial results and do not represent a strategic shift. A gain of $125.4 million was recorded in Gain on disposition of properties, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. At December 31, 2015, we held $126.3 million related to certain of these dispositions in escrow as a result of an Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 transaction included in Other assets, net. During 2016, $37.6 million of the balance held in escrow was used to fund acquisitions. The remaining $88.7 million of the escrow balance reverted to us.

The table below shows our dispositions during the year ended December 31, 2015:



Community	State	Number of Sites
Silver Star	FL	406
Holiday Village	IN	326
Maplewood Mobile	IN	207
Meadows	IN	330
Valley Brook	IN	798
West Glen Village	IN	552
Woods Edge	IN	598
Edwardsville	KS	634
Candlewick Court	MI	211
College Park Estates	MI	230
Sherman Oaks	MI	366
Village Trails	MI	100
Creekside	NC	45
Colonial Village	NY	153
Valley View Estates	NY	197
Catalina	OH	462
Worthington Arms	OH	224
Casa de Valle	TX	381
Kenwood	TX	280
Snow to Sun	TX	475

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Transfers and Servicing [Abstract]

Transfers of Financial Assets

We completed various transactions with an unrelated entity involving our notes receivable under which we received cash proceeds in exchange for relinquishing our right, title, and interest in certain notes receivable. We have no further obligations or rights with respect to the control, management, administration, servicing, or collection of the installment notes receivable. However, we are subject to certain recourse provisions requiring us to purchase the underlying homes collateralizing such notes, in the event of a note default and subsequent repossession of the home by the unrelated entity. The recourse provisions are considered to be a form of continuing involvement, and therefore these transferred loans did not meet the requirements for sale accounting. We continue to recognize these transferred loans on our balance sheet and refer to them as collateralized receivables. The proceeds from the transfer have been recognized as a secured borrowing.

In the event of a note default and subsequent repossession of a manufactured home by the unrelated entity, the terms of the agreement require us to repurchase the manufactured home. Default is defined as the failure to repay the installment note receivable according to contractual terms. The repurchase price is calculated as a percentage of the outstanding principal balance of the collateralized receivable, plus any outstanding late fees, accrued interest, legal fees, and escrow advances associated with the installment note receivable. The percentage used to determine the repurchase price of the outstanding principal balance on the installment note receivable is based on the number of payments made on the note. In general, the repurchase price is determined as follows:



Number of Payments	Repurchase %
Less than or equal to 15	100	%
Greater than 15 but less than 64	90	%
Equal to or greater than 64 but less than 120	65	%
120 or more	50	%

The transferred assets have been classified as Collateralized receivables, net and the cash proceeds received from these transactions have been classified as "Secured borrowings on collateralized receivables" within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The balance of the collateralized receivables was $143.9 million (net of allowance of $0.6 million) and $139.8 million (net of allowance of $0.7 million) as of December 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, respectively. The receivables have a weighted average interest rate and maturity of 10.0% and 15.7 years as of December 31, 2016, and 10.2% and 15.6 years as of December 31, 2015.

The outstanding balance on the secured borrowing was $144.5 million and $140.4 million as of December 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, respectively.

The collateralized receivables earn interest income, and the secured borrowings accrue interest expense at the same interest rates. The amount of interest income and expense recognized was $14.0 million, $13.2 million, and $11.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

The balances of the collateralized receivables and secured borrowings fluctuate. The balances increase as additional notes receivable are transferred and exchanged for cash proceeds. The balances are reduced as the related collateralized receivables are collected from the customers, or as the underlying collateral is repurchased. The change in the aggregate gross principal balance of the collateralized receivables is as follows (in thousands):



	Year Ended
	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Beginning balance	$	140,440		$	123,650
Financed sales of manufactured homes	23,771			43,083
Principal payments and payoffs from our customers	(11,937		)	(10,271		)
Notes sold with dispositions	—			(6,889		)
Principal reduction from repurchased homes	(7,797		)	(9,133		)
Total activity	4,037			16,790
Ending balance	$	144,477		$	140,440

The following table sets forth the allowance for the collateralized receivables (in thousands):



	Year Ended
	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Beginning balance	$	(672	)	$	(688	)
Lower of cost or market write-downs	617			447
Increase to reserve balance	(552		)	(431		)
Total activity	65			16
Ending balance	$	(607	)	$	(672	)

- Definition

The entire disclosure for a transferor's continuing involvement in financial assets that it has transferred in a securitization or asset-backed financing arrangement, the nature of any restrictions on assets reported by an entity in its statement of financial position that relate to a transferred financial asset (including the carrying amounts of such assets), how servicing assets and servicing liabilities are reported, and (for securitization or asset-backed financing arrangements accounted for as sales) when a transferor has continuing involvement with the transferred financial assets and transfers of financial assets accounted for as secured borrowings, how the transfer of financial assets affects an entity's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows.

+ References + Details

Notes And Other Receivables

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

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 thousands):



	Year Ended
	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net	$	59,320	$	20,418
Other receivables, net	21,859		27,554
Total notes and other receivables, net	$	81,179	$	47,972

Installment Notes Receivable on Manufactured Homes

The installment notes of $59.3 million (net of allowance of $0.2 million) and $20.4 million (net of allowance of $0.2 million) as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, are collateralized by manufactured homes. The notes represent financing provided by us to purchasers of manufactured homes primarily located in our communities and require monthly principal and interest payments. The notes have a net weighted average interest rate (net of servicing costs) and maturity of 8.3% and 16 years as of December 31, 2016, and 8.6% and 10.0 years as of December 31, 2015. The increase in weighted average maturity from 10.0 years to 16.0 years is the result of a shift to longer maturities in our financed sales of manufactured homes in 2016, as well as our acquired notes having longer maturities than our previous average.

The change in the aggregate gross principal balance of the installment notes receivable is as follows (in thousands):



	Year Ended
	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Beginning balance	$	20,610		$	26,024
Financed sales of manufactured homes	41,322			838
Acquired notes	3,521			850
Principal payments and payoffs from our customers	(4,363		)	(4,798		)
Notes sold with dispositions	—			(383		)
Principal reduction from repossessed homes	(1,566		)	(1,921		)
Total activity	38,914			(5,414		)
Ending balance	$	59,524		$	20,610

Allowance for Losses for Installment Notes Receivable

The following table sets forth the allowance change for the installment notes receivable (in thousands):



	Year Ended
	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Beginning balance	$	(192	)	$	(140	)
Lower of cost or market write-downs	128			80
Increase to reserve balance	(141		)	(132		)
Total activity	(13		)	(52		)
Ending balance	$	(205	)	$	(192	)

Other Receivables

As of December 31, 2016, other receivables were comprised of amounts due from residents for rent, and water and sewer usage of $6.0 million (net of allowance of $1.5 million), home sale proceeds of $11.6 million, insurance receivables of $2.3 million, rebates and other receivables of $2.0 million. As of December 31, 2015, other receivables were comprised of amounts due from residents for rent, and water and sewer usage of $4.7 million (net of allowance of $0.9 million), home sale proceeds of $10.5 million, insurance receivables of $1.2 million, insurance settlement of $3.7 million, rebates and other receivables of $5.3 million and a note receivable of $2.2 million.

Intangibles

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

Intangible Assets

Our intangible assets include ground leases and in-place leases from acquisitions, franchise fees, and other intangible assets. These intangible assets are recorded in Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

During 2016, as part of the Carefree acquisition purchase price allocation, we recorded $33.3 million of intangible assets associated with ground leases. These ground leases relate to five communities where contractual base rents are below market rents and therefore give rise to future economic benefits over the remaining lease terms.

The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization are as follows (in thousands):



		December 31, 2016					December 31, 2015
Intangible Asset	Useful Life	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Ground leases	8-57 years	$	33,270	$	(600	)	$	—	$	—
In-place leases	7 years	98,235		(31,796		)	62,981		(20,245		)
Franchise fees and other intangible assets	15 years	1,880		(1,155		)	1,864		(622		)
Total		$	133,385	$	(33,551	)	$	64,845	$	(20,867	)

Total amortization expenses related to our intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
Intangible Asset	2016		2015		2014
Ground leases	$	600	$	—	$	—
In-place leases	11,559		8,299		3,867
Franchise fees and other intangible assets	535		516		77
Total	$	12,694	$	8,815	$	3,944

We anticipate amortization expense for our intangible assets to be as follows for the next five years (in thousands):



	Year
	2017		2018		2019		2020		2021
Estimated expense	$	15,203	$	14,325	$	13,409	$	11,681	$	11,289

Investment In Affiliates	12 Months Ended
Investment In Affiliates	Dec. 31, 2016
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investment In Affiliates	Investment in Affiliates Origen Financial Services, LLC (“OFS LLC”) At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had a 22.9% ownership interest in OFS LLC, an entity formed to originate manufactured housing installment contracts. We have suspended equity accounting as the carrying value of our investment is zero. Origen Financial, Inc. (“Origen”) Through Sun OFI, LLC, a taxable REIT subsidiary, we previously owned 5,000,000 shares of common stock of Origen, which approximated an ownership interest of 19.3%. During the third quarter of 2016, we sold all 5,000,000 shares of common stock in Origen to an unrelated party for aggregate proceeds of $0.5 million. The carrying value of our investment prior to the sale was zero. During 2015, we received a distribution of $7.5 million from Origen.

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

DisclosureofVariableInterestEntities [Abstract]

DisclosureOfVariableInterestEntities [Text Block]

. Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

In 2016, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-02 "Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis." We evaluated the application of ASU 2015-02 and concluded that no change was required to our accounting for interests in less than wholly owned joint ventures. However, the Operating Partnership now meets the criteria as a variable interest entity ("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.

Other VIEs that are consolidated include: Rudgate Village SPE, LLC; Rudgate Clinton SPE, LLC; Rudgate Clinton Estates SPE, LLC (collectively “Rudgate”); and Wildwood Village Mobile Home Park ("Wildwood"). We evaluated our arrangements with these properties under the guidance set forth in FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 810 "Consolidation." We concluded that Rudgate and Wildwood qualify as VIEs as we are the primary beneficiary and hold controlling financial interests in these entities due to our power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entities, as well as our obligation to absorb the most significant losses and our rights to receive significant benefits from these entities. As such, the transactions and accounts of these VIEs are included in our accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets after appropriate eliminations have been made (in thousands):



	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
ASSETS
Investment property, net	$	88,987		$	92,009
Other assets	3,054			3,823
Total Assets	$	92,041		$	95,832

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Debt	$	62,111		$	64,082
Other liabilities	1,998			4,091
Noncontrolling interests	(2,982		)	(1,767		)
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	61,127		$	66,406

Investment property, net and other assets related to the consolidated VIEs comprised approximately 1.6% and 2.3% of our consolidated total assets at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Debt and other liabilities comprised approximately 1.9% and 2.7% of our consolidated total liabilities at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Noncontrolling interests related to the consolidated VIEs comprised less than 1.0% of our consolidated total equity at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

Debt And Lines Of Credit

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

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):



	Principal Outstanding				Weighted Average Years to Maturity		Weighted Average Interest Rates
	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015		December 31, 2016	December 31, 2015	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
Collateralized term loans - CMBS	$	492,294	$	639,321	5.6	5.3	5.2	%	5.3	%
Collateralized term loans - FNMA	1,046,803		789,612		6.6	5.8	4.3	%	4.6	%
Collateralized term loans - Life Companies	888,705		500,133		12.2	14.4	3.9	%	4.1	%
Collateralized term loans - FMCC	391,765		196,201		7.9	9.0	3.9	%	4.0	%
Secured borrowing	144,477		140,440		15.7	15.6	10.0	%	10.2	%
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	45,903		45,903		5.4	6.1	6.9	%	6.9	%
Lines of credit	100,095		24,687		3.6	4.6	2.1	%	1.6	%
Total debt	$	3,110,042	$	2,336,297	8.5	8.4	4.5	%	5.0	%

Collateralized Term Loans

During the fourth quarter of 2016, we repaid a total of $79.1 million aggregate principal amount of collateralized term loans that were due to mature during 2017, releasing 10 communities. As a result of certain of these transactions, we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.1 million that is reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In October 2016, one subsidiary entered into a new promissory note totaling $58.5 million with PNC Bank, as lender with Freddie Mac. It bears an interest rate of 3.33% and has a seven-year term. The repayment of the loan is interest only for the entire term.

In September 2016, 15 subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership entered into 15 different promissory notes totaling $139.0 million with PNC Bank, as lender (the "Freddie Mac Financing"). Five of the loans totaling $70.2 million bear interest at a rate of 3.93% and have ten-year terms. The remaining ten loans totaling $68.8 million bear interest at a rate of 3.75% and have seven-year terms. The Freddie Mac Financing provides for principal and interest payments to be amortized over 30 years.

In September 2016, proceeds from the Freddie Mac Financing described above and the underwritten registered public equity offering described in Note 9, "Equity and Mezzanine Securities" were utilized to repay $62.1 million in mortgage loans and $300.0 million on our revolving loan under our senior revolving credit facility.

In June 2016, 17 subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership entered into a Master Credit Facility Agreement (the "Fannie Mae Credit Agreement") with Regions Bank, as lender. Pursuant to the Fannie Mae Credit Agreement, Regions Bank loaned a total of $338.0 million under a senior secured credit facility, comprised of two ten-year term loans in the amount of $300.0 million and $38.0 million, respectively (collectively the "Fannie Mae Financing"). The $300.0 million term loan bears interest at 3.69% per year and the $38.0 million term loan bears interest at 3.67% per year for a blended rate of 3.69% per year. The Fannie Mae Financing provides for principal and interest payments to be amortized over 30 years.

The Fannie Mae Financing is secured by mortgages encumbering 17 MH communities comprised of real and personal property owned by the borrowers. Additionally, the Company and the Operating Partnership have provided a guaranty of the non-recourse carve-out obligations of the borrowers under the Fannie Mae Financing.

Additionally, in June 2016, three subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership entered into mortgage loan documents (the "NML Loan Documents") with The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company ("NML"). Pursuant to the NML Loan Documents, NML made three portfolio loans to the subsidiary borrowers in the aggregate amount of $405.0 million. NML loaned $162.0 million under a ten-year term loan to two of the subsidiary borrowers (the "Portfolio A Loan"). The Portfolio A Loan bears interest at 3.53% per year and is secured by deeds of trust encumbering seven MH communities and one RV community. NML also loaned $163.0 million under a 12-year term loan (the "Portfolio B Loan") to one subsidiary which is also a borrower under the Portfolio A Loan. The Portfolio B Loan bears interest at 3.71% per year and is secured by deeds of trust and a ground lease encumbering eight MH communities. NML also loaned $80.0 million under a 12-year term loan (the "Portfolio C Loan" and, collectively, with the Portfolio A Loan and the Portfolio B Loan, the "NML Financing") to one subsidiary borrower. The Portfolio C Loan bears interest at 3.71% per year and is secured by a mortgage encumbering one RV community. All of the MH and RV communities that secure the NML Financing were acquired as part of the Carefree Communities acquisition (See Note 2, "Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions").

The NML Financing is generally non-recourse, however, the borrowers under the NML Financing and the Operating Partnership are responsible for certain customary non-recourse carveouts. In addition, the NML Financing will be fully recourse to the subsidiary borrowers and the Operating Partnership if: (a) the borrowers violate the prohibition on transfer covenants set forth in the loan documents; or (b) a voluntary bankruptcy proceedings is commenced by the borrowers or an involuntary bankruptcy, liquidation, receivership or similar proceeding has commenced against the borrowers and remains undismissed for a period of 90 days.

In December 2015, we paid off $85.6 million of CMBS debt secured by eight communities. The loans had a stated maturity of July 2016 and an interest rate of 5.32%.

In August 2015, we entered into an agreement to borrow $87.0 million in mortgage debt that is secured by five communities at an interest rate of 4.06% for a term of 25 years. This loan closed in two separate closings. We completed the first closing for $51.2 million secured by four communities in September 2015 and the second closing for $35.8 million secured by one community in December 2015.

In May 2015, we defeased a total of $70.6 million aggregate principal amount of collateralized term loans with an interest rate of 5.32% that were due to mature on July 1, 2016, releasing 10 communities. As a result of the transaction we recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of $2.8 million that is reflected in our Consolidated Statement of Operations.

In April 2015, in relation to the acquisition of the Berger properties (see Note 2, "Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions"), we assumed debt with a fair market value of $169.9 million on the communities with a weighted average interest rate of 5.17% and a weighted average remaining term of 6.3 years.

In March 2015, in relation to the acquisition of Meadowlands (see Note 2, "Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions"), we assumed a $6.3 million mortgage with an interest rate of 6.5% and a remaining term of 6.5 years. Also, in relation to this acquisition, we entered into a note payable with the seller for $2.4 million that bears no interest but is payable in three equal yearly installments beginning in March 2016.

In January 2015, in relation to the acquisition of the ALL properties (see Note 2, "Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions"), we refinanced approximately $90.8 million of mortgage debt on 10 of the communities (resulting in proceeds of $112.3 million) at a weighted average interest rate of 3.87% per annum and a weighted average term of 14.1. We also assumed approximately $201.4 million of mortgage debt at a weighted average interest rate of 5.74% and a weighted average remaining term of 6.3.

The collateralized term loans totaling $2.8 billion as of December 31, 2016, are secured by 189 properties comprised of 75,118 sites representing approximately $3.4 billion of net book value.

Secured Borrowing

See Note 3, "Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets," for additional information regarding our collateralized receivables and secured borrowing transactions.

Preferred OP units

Included in preferred OP units is $34.7 million of Aspen preferred OP units issued by the Operating Partnership which are convertible into shares of the Company's common stock. Subject to certain limitations, at any time prior to January 1, 2024, 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 10 preceding trading days is $68.00 per share of less, 0.397 common OP units, or (b) if the average closing price of our common stock for the 10 preceding trading days is greater than $68.00 per share, the number of common OP units determined by dividing (i) the sum of (A) $27.00 plus (B) 25% of the amount by which the average closing price of our common stock for the 10 preceding trading days exceeds $68.00 per share, by (ii) the average closing price of our common stock for the 10 preceding trading days. The current preferred rate is 6.5%. On January 2, 2024, we are required to redeem all Aspen preferred OP units that have not been converted to common OP units.

Also included in preferred OP units is $11.2 million of Series B-3 preferred OP units, which are not convertible. Subject to certain limitations, (a) during the 90-day period beginning on each of the tenth through fifteenth anniversaries of the issue date of the applicable Series B-3 preferred OP units, (b) at any time after the fifteenth anniversary of the issue date of the applicable Series B-3 preferred OP units, or (c) after our receipt of notice of the death of the electing holder of a Series B-3 preferred OP unit, each holder of Series B-3 preferred OP units may require us to redeem such holder's Series B-3 preferred OP units at the redemption price of $100.00 per unit. In addition, at any time after the fifteenth anniversary of the issue date of the applicable Series B-3 preferred OP units we may redeem, at our option, all of the Series B-3 preferred OP units of any holder thereof at the redemption price of $100.00 per unit.

Lines of Credit

In August, 2015, we amended and restated our senior revolving credit facility with Citibank, N.A. and certain other lenders in the amount of $450.0 million, comprised of a $392.0 million revolving loan and $58.0 million term loan (the "Facility"). The Facility has a four year term ending August 19, 2019, which can be extended for two additional six-month periods at our option, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions as defined in the credit agreement. The credit agreement also provides for, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, additional commitments in an amount not to exceed $300.0 million. If additional borrowings are made pursuant to any such additional commitments, the aggregate borrowing limit under the Facility may be increased up to $750.0 million. The Facility bears interest at a floating rate based on the Eurodollar rate plus a margin that is determined based on our leverage ratio calculated in accordance with the credit agreement, which can range from 1.40% to 2.25% for the revolving loan and 1.35% to 2.20% for the term loan. As of December 31, 2016, the margin on our leverage ratio was 1.45% and 1.40% on the revolving and term loans, respectively. We had $42.3 million borrowings on the revolving loan and $58.0 million in borrowings on the term loan totaling $100.3 million in borrowings as of December 31, 2016, with a weighted average interest rate of 2.14%. As of December 31, 2015, there was $25.0 million outstanding under our previous credit facility.

The 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 December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, approximately $4.6 million and $3.4 million, respectively, of availability was used to back standby letters of credit.

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 its 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%. At December 31, 2016, the effective interest rate was 7.0%. The outstanding balance was $2.8 million and $0.0 million as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Long-term Debt Maturities

As of December 31, 2016, the total of maturities and amortization of our debt (excluding premiums and discounts) and lines of credit during the next five years are as follows (in thousands):



	Maturities and Amortization By Year
	Total Due		2017		2018		2019		2020		2021		Thereafter
Lines of credit	$	100,344	$	—	$	2,889	$	—	$	97,455	$	—	$	—
Mortgage loans payable:
Maturities	2,246,200		32,688		26,186		64,314		58,078		270,680		1,794,254
Principal amortization	554,358		51,878		53,318		54,035		54,575		53,436		287,116
Preferred OP units	45,903		11,240		—		—		—		—		34,663
Secured borrowing	144,477		5,645		6,186		6,727		7,341		7,888		110,690
Total	$	3,091,282	$	101,451	$	88,579	$	125,076	$	217,449	$	332,004	$	2,226,723

Covenants

Pursuant to the terms of the 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 December 31, 2016, 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.

Equity Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Equity Transactions

Equity and Mezzanine Securities

In September 2016, we closed an underwritten registered public offering of 3,737,500 shares of common stock at a net price of $75.89 per share. Proceeds from the offering were approximately $283.6 million after deducting expenses related to the offering, which were used to repay borrowings outstanding under the revolving loan under our senior revolving credit facility.

In June 2016, at the closing of the Carefree acquisition, we issued the Seller 3,329,880 shares of our common stock at an issuance price of $67.57 per share or $225.0 million in common stock. Refer to Note 2, "Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions".

In March 2016, we closed an underwritten registered public offering of 6,037,500 shares of common stock at a price of $66.50 per share. Net proceeds from the offering were approximately $385.4 million after deducting discounts and expenses related to the offering, which we used to fund a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of Carefree Communities.

In November 2015, we closed an underwritten registered public offering of 3,737,500 shares of common stock at a price of $65.00 per share. Net proceeds from the offering were approximately $233.1 million after deducting discounts and expenses related to the offering. We used a portion of the net proceeds of the offering to repay borrowings outstanding under our revolving loan under the Facility, and intend to use the remaining net proceeds for acquisitions of properties, working capital, and general corporate purposes.

At the Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders on July 20, 2015, the stockholders approved Articles of Amendment to our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended and supplemented, under which the number of authorized shares of our common stock was increased from 90,000,000 to 180,000,000 and the number of authorized shares of our preferred stock was increased from 10,000,000 to 20,000,000.

In July 2015, we entered into a repurchase agreement with certain holders of shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock under which, at the holders’ election, we were obligated to repurchase up to 5,926,322 shares of the Series A-4 Preferred Stock from the holders of those shares. There were 6,364,770 shares of Series A-4 preferred shares issued and outstanding at the time of the repurchase agreement, and 438,448 shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock were not subject to the repurchase agreement. Each holder of shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock subject to the repurchase agreement could have elected to sell its shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock to us. The purchase price was $31.08 per share, which consists of a price per share of $30.90 plus $0.18 for accrued and unpaid distributions from and including June 30, 2015 to, but not including, August 10, 2015. Each share of Series A-4 Preferred Stock had a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, and was convertible into approximately 0.4444 shares of our common stock. Pursuant to the repurchase agreement, the Company repurchased 4,066,586 shares of the Series A-4 Preferred Stock. There were 1,681,849 shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2016.

In June 2015, we issued to GCP Fund III Ancillary Holding, LLC (i) 25,664 shares of common stock at an issuance price of $50.00 per share, or $1,283,200 in the aggregate, and (ii) 34,219 shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock at an issuance price of $25.00 per share, or $855,475 in the aggregate. All of these common shares and preferred shares were issued for cash consideration pursuant to the terms of a Subscription Agreement, dated July 30, 2014, as amended, among the Company, Green Court Real Estate Partners III, LLC, and certain other parties.

Also in June 2015, we entered into an At the Market Offering Sales Agreement (the "Sales Agreement") with BMO Capital Markets Corp., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (collectively, the "Sales Agents"). Pursuant to the Sales Agreement, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock, having an aggregate offering price of up to $250.0 million, from time to time through the Sales Agents. Each Sales Agent is entitled to compensation in an agreed amount not to exceed 2.0% of the gross sales price per share for any shares sold through it from time to time under the Sales Agreement. Concurrently, the At the Market Offering Sales Agreement dated May 10, 2012, as amended among the Company, the Partnership, BMO Capital Markets Corp. and Liquidnet, Inc., was terminated.

Sales of common stock under our At the Market sales program activity during 2016 and 2015 are as follows:



Quarter Ended	Common Stock Issued	Weighted Average Sales Price		Net Proceeds (in Millions)
December 31, 2016	19,498	$	75.90	$	1.5
September 30, 2016	620,828	$	76.81	$	47.1
June 30, 2016	485,000	$	71.86	$	34.4

September 30, 2015	608,100	$	68.00	$	40.8
June 30, 2015	26,200	$	65.15	$	1.7
March 31, 2015	342,011	$	63.94	$	21.5

In April 2015, in connection with the Berger acquisition, we issued 371,808 common OP units at an issuance price of $61.00 per share and 340,206 newly created Series C preferred OP units at an issuance price of $100.00 per share. The Series C preferred OP unit holders receive a preferred return of 4.0% per year from the closing until the first anniversary of the date of issuance, 4.5% per year during the following three years, and 5.0% per year thereafter. Subject to certain limitations, at the holder’s option, each Series C preferred OP unit is exchangeable into 1.11 shares of the Company’s common stock and holders of Series C preferred OP units do not have any voting or consent rights.

In January 2015, in connection with the ALL second closing, we issued 4,377,073 shares of common stock at an issuance price of $50.00 per share (fair value of $58.85 per share) and 5,847,234 shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock at an issuance price of $25.00 per share (fair value of $30.00 per share). The Series A-4 Preferred Stock stockholders receive a preferred return of 6.5% per year. In addition, one of the sellers purchased 150,000 shares of our common stock and 200,000 Series A-4 preferred OP units for an aggregate purchase price of $12.5 million. As noted above, in August 2015, the Company repurchased 4,066,586 shares of the Series A-4 Preferred Stock.

If certain change of control transactions occur or if our common stock ceases to be listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system, then at any time after November 26, 2019, we or the holders of shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock and Series A-4 preferred OP units may cause all or any of those shares or units to be redeemed for cash at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) the greater of (x) the amount that the redeemed shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock and Series A-4 preferred OP units would have received in such transaction if they had been converted into shares of our common stock immediately prior to such transaction, or (y) $25.00 per share, plus (ii) any accrued and unpaid distributions thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.

In November 2004, our Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of our common stock. We have 400,000 common shares remaining in the repurchase program. No common shares were repurchased during 2016 or 2015. There is no expiration date specified for the repurchase program.

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 2016 and 2015:



		Year Ended December 31, 2016		Year Ended December 31, 2015
Series	Conversion Rate	Units/Shares	Common Stock	Units/Shares	Common Stock
Common OP unit	1	104,106	104,106	99,851	99,851
Series A-1 preferred OP unit	2.439	20,691	50,458	41,116	100,277
Series A-4 preferred OP unit	0.4444	120,906	53,733	114,414	50,848
Series A-4 preferred stock	0.4444	385,242	171,218	231,093	102,708
Series C preferred OP unit	1.11	7,043	7,815	—	—

Cash distributions of $0.65 per share were declared for the quarter ended December 31, 2016. On January 20, 2017, cash payments of approximately $49.4 million for aggregate distributions were made to common stockholders, common OP unit holders and restricted stockholders of record as of December 31, 2016. Cash distributions of $0.45 per share were declared on the Company's Series A Preferred Stock for the quarter ended December 31, 2016. On January 17, 2017, cash payments of approximately $1.5 million for aggregate distributions were made to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock of record as of December 31, 2016. In addition, cash distributions of $0.41 per share were declared on the Company's Series A-4 Preferred Stock for the quarter ended December 31, 2016. On January 3, 2017, cash payments of approximately $0.7 million were made to Series A-4 Preferred stockholders of record as of December 16, 2016. During 2016, we made total cash payments of approximately $179.4 million to common stockholders, common OP unitholders and restricted stockholders, $6.0 million to Series A Preferred stock holders and $2.9 million to Series A-4 Preferred stockholders.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, including other comprehensive income. Includes, but is not limited to, balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings, accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and amount of comprehensive income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(d),(e))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21484-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.E)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27010918&loc=d3e74512-122707

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21488-112644

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29-31)
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Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Preferred Stock
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6521494

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Publisher SEC
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-Number Topic 4
-Section E

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section C

+ Details

Share-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Share-Based Compensation

As of December 31, 2016, we have two share-based compensation plans approved by stockholders: the Sun Communities, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2015 Equity Plan") and the First Amended and Restated 2004 Non-Employee Director Option Plan (“Director Plan”). In July 2015, the 2015 Equity Plan replaced the Sun Communities, Inc. 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2009 Equity 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.

Restricted Stock

The majority of our share-based compensation is awarded as service vesting restricted stock grants to executives and key employees. We have also awarded restricted stock to our non-employee directors. We measure the fair value associated with these awards using the closing price of our common stock as of the grant date to calculate compensation cost. Employee awards typically vest over several years and are subject to continued employment by the employee. Award recipients receive distribution payments on unvested shares of restricted stock.

Restricted Stock - 2015 Equity Plan

At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on July 20, 2015, the stockholders approved the 2015 Equity Plan. The 2015 Equity Plan had been adopted by the Board and was effective upon approval by our stockholders. The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2015 Equity Plan is 1,750,000 shares of our common stock, with 1,542,500 shares remaining for future issuance.

During 2016, we granted 81,000 shares of restricted stock to key employees under the Sun Communities, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares had a weighted average fair value of $69.70 per share and generally vest in the following manner: 35% on the third anniversary; 35% on the fourth anniversary; 20% on the fifth anniversary; 5% on the six anniversary; and 5% on the seventh anniversary. The fair values of the issued awards were determined by using the closing price of our common stock on the dates the shares were issued.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, we granted 130,000 shares of restricted stock to our executive officers under the Sun Communities, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares had a fair value of $69.25 per share. Half of the shares will vest as follows: March 20, 2019: 20%; March 20, 2020, 30%; March 20, 2021, 35%; March 20, 2022, 10%; and March 20, 2023, 5%. The remaining 65,000 shares are subject to market and performance conditions with multiple tranches that vest through March 2022. Share-based compensation for restricted stock awards with performance 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.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, we granted 6,000 shares of restricted stock to key employees under our 2015 Equity Plan. The shares had a weighted average fair value of $66.10 per share and will vest as follows: during the second half of 2018: 35%, during the second half of 2019: 35%, during the second half of 2020: 20%, during the second half of 2021: 5%, and during the second half of 2020: 5%. The fair value of issued grants was determined by using the closing price of our common stock on the date the shares were issued.

Restricted Stock - 2009 Equity Plan

During the year ended December 31, 2015, we granted 45,000 shares of restricted stock to executive officers under our 2009 Equity Plan. The shares had a weighted average fair value of $65.00 per share and will vest as follows: during 2018: 35%; during 2019: 35%; during 2020: 20%; during 2021: 5%; and during 2022: 5%. The fair value was determined by using the closing share price of our common stock on the date the shares were issued.

In April 2015, we granted 145,000 shares of restricted stock to our executive officers under our 2009 Equity Plan. The shares had a fair value of $63.81 per share. Half of the shares will vest as follows: April 14, 2018: 20%; April 14, 2019: 30%; April 14, 2020: 35%; April 14, 2021: 10%; and April 14, 2022: 5%. The remaining 72,500 shares are subject to market and performance conditions with multiple tranches that vest through April 2020. Share-based compensation for restricted stock awards with performance 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.

The following table summarizes our restricted stock activity for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:



	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested restricted shares at January 1, 2014	631,956		$	41.14
Granted	117,250		$	49.97
Vested	(55,488	)	$	25.57
Forfeited	(4,975	)	$	38.45
Unvested restricted shares at December 31, 2014	688,743		$	43.87
Granted	216,800		$	64.32
Vested	(85,021	)	$	31.89
Forfeited	(7,262	)	$	45.94
Unvested restricted shares at December 31, 2015	813,260		$	50.59
Granted	227,800		$	69.43
Vested	(165,631	)	$	45.90
Forfeited	(33,795	)	$	56.49
Unvested restricted shares at December 31, 2016	841,634		$	56.38

Total compensation cost recognized for restricted stock was $9.6 million, $7.1 million, and $4.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. The total fair value of shares vested was $7.6 million, $2.7 million, and $1.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The remaining net compensation cost related to our unvested restricted shares outstanding as of December 31, 2016 is approximately $32.0 million. That expense is expected to be recognized $9.7 million in 2017, $8.2 million in 2018, $5.8 million in 2019 and $8.3 million thereafter.

Director Plan

The Director Plan was approved by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on July 19, 2012. The Director Plan amended and restated in its entirety our 2004 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.

The types of awards that may be granted under the Director Plan are options, restricted stock and OP units. Only non-employee directors are eligible to participate in the Director Plan. The maximum number of options, restricted stock and OP units that may be issued under the Director Plan is 175,000 shares, with 43,474 shares remaining for future issuance.

In March 2016, we granted 16,800 shares of restricted stock to our non-employee directors under our First Amended and Restated 2004 Non-Employee Director Option Plan. The awards vest on March 11, 2018, and had a fair value of $69.45 per share. The fair value was determined by using the closing share price of our common stock on the date the shares were issued.

In February 2015, we granted 19,800 shares of restricted stock to our non-employee directors under our First Amended and Restated 2004 Non-Employee Director Option Plan. The awards vest on February 11, 2018, and had a fair value of $65.87 per share. The fair value was determined by using the closing share price of our common stock on the date the shares were issued.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, 14,199 shares of common stock were issued in connection with the exercise of stock options and the net proceeds received were $0.1 million.

Options

We have granted stock options to certain employees and non-employee directors. Option awards are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of our common stock as of the grant date. Stock options generally vest over a three year period from the date of grant and have a maximum term of 10 years. No grants of options were made in 2016, 2015 or 2014. We issue new shares of common stock at the time of share option exercise (or share unit conversion).

The weighted average fair value of the options issued is estimated on the date of the grant using the Binomial (lattice) option pricing model. The options outstanding as of December 31, 2016, consist of 4,500 non-employee director options. There are no employee options outstanding. There was no compensation expense associated with non-vested stock option awards for the years ended December 31, 2016, and 2015. The compensation expense associated with non-vested stock option awards was not significant for the year ended December 31, 2014.

The following table summarizes our option activity during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:



	Number of Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price (per common share)
Options outstanding at January 1, 2014	46,250		$	30.77
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(12,250	)	33.4
Forfeited or expired	(1,500	)	35.44
Options outstanding at December 31, 2014	32,500		29.56
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(8,000	)	30.96
Forfeited or expired	—		—
Options outstanding at December 31, 2015	24,500		29.11
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(20,000	)	28.39
Forfeited or expired	—		—
Options outstanding at December 31, 2016	4,500		$	32.27

The following table summarizes our options outstanding and options currently exercisable at December 31, 2016:



	December 31, 2016
	Number of Options	Weighted Average Exercise Price (per common share)		Weighted Average Contractual Term (in years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Options vested and exercisable	4,500	$	32.27	2.9	$	200

Aggregate intrinsic value represents the value of our closing share price as of the end of the year in excess of the exercise price multiplied by the number of options outstanding or exercisable. The aggregate intrinsic value excludes the effect of stock options that have a zero or negative intrinsic value. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the intrinsic value of exercised options was $1.0 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the intrinsic value of vested and exercisable options was $0.2 million, $1.0 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

Segment Reporting

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

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 and is approximately $58.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. In 2016, transient RV revenue we recognized 17.5% in the first quarter, 18.7% in the second quarter, 45.2% in the third quarter, and 18.6% in the fourth quarter.

A presentation of segment financial information is summarized as follows (amounts in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31, 2016
	Real Property Operations			Home Sales and Home Rentals			Consolidated
Revenues	$	654,341		$	158,287		$	812,628
Operating expenses/Cost of sales	241,005			104,714			345,719
Net operating income/Gross profit	413,336			53,573			466,909
Adjustments to arrive at net income (loss):
Interest and other income, net	21,150			—			21,150
Home selling expense	—			(9,744		)	(9,744		)
General and administrative	(55,481		)	(8,606		)	(64,087		)
Transaction costs	(31,863		)	(51		)	(31,914		)
Depreciation and amortization	(166,296		)	(55,474		)	(221,770		)
Extinguishment of debt	(1,127		)	—			(1,127		)
Interest	(119,150		)	(13		)	(119,163		)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units	(3,152		)	—			(3,152		)
Other expenses, net	(5,822		)	(26		)	(5,848		)
Current tax expense	(471		)	(212		)	(683		)
Deferred tax benefit	400			—			400
Income from affiliate transactions	500			—			500
Net income (loss)	52,024			(20,553		)	31,471
Less: Preferred return to preferred OP units	5,006			—			5,006
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,478			(1,328		)	150
Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	45,540			(19,225		)	26,315
Less: Preferred stock distributions	8,946			—			8,946
Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	36,594		$	(19,225	)	$	17,369



	Year Ended December 31, 2015
	Real Property Operations			Home Sales and Home Rentals			Consolidated
Revenues	$	530,610		$	125,964		$	656,574
Operating expenses/Cost of sales	188,030			83,897			271,927
Net operating income/Gross profit	342,580			42,067			384,647
Adjustments to arrive at net income (loss):
Interest and other income, net	18,119			38			18,157
Home selling expenses	—			(7,476		)	(7,476		)
General and administrative	(40,235		)	(7,220		)	(47,455		)
Transaction costs	(17,802		)	(1		)	(17,803		)
Depreciation and amortization	(125,297		)	(52,340		)	(177,637		)
Extinguishment of debt	(2,800		)	—			(2,800		)
Interest	(107,647		)	(12		)	(107,659		)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units	(3,219		)	—			(3,219		)
Gain on disposition of properties, net	106,613			18,763			125,376
Current tax expense	(56		)	(102		)	(158		)
Deferred tax expense	—			(1,000		)	(1,000		)
Income from affiliate transactions	7,500			—			7,500
Net income (loss)	177,756			(7,283		)	170,473
Less: Preferred return to preferred OP units	4,973			—			4,973
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	10,622			(568		)	10,054
Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	162,161			(6,715		)	155,446
Less: Preferred stock distributions	13,793			—			13,793
Less: Preferred stock redemption costs	4,328			—			4,328
Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	144,040		$	(6,715	)	$	137,325



	Year Ended December 31, 2014
	Real Property Operations			Home Sales and Home Rentals			Consolidated
Revenues	$	375,594		$	93,167		$	468,761
Operating expenses/Cost of sales	137,899			63,826			201,725
Net operating income/Gross profit	237,695			29,341			267,036
Adjustments to arrive at net income (loss):
Interest and other income, net	15,498			—			15,498
Home selling expenses	—			(5,235		)	(5,235		)
General and administrative	(31,769		)	(5,618		)	(37,387		)
Transaction costs	(18,251		)	(8		)	(18,259		)
Depreciation and amortization	(88,695		)	(45,031		)	(133,726		)
Asset impairment charge	(837		)	—			(837		)
Interest	(73,752		)	(19		)	(73,771		)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units	(3,210		)	—			(3,210		)
Gain on disposition of properties	17,447			207			17,654
Gain on settlement	4,452			—			4,452
Current tax expense	(219		)	—			(219		)
Income from affiliate transactions	1,200			—			1,200
Net income (loss)	59,559			(26,363		)	33,196
Less: Preferred return to preferred OP units	2,935			—			2,935
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,698			(1,946		)	1,752
Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	52,926			(24,417		)	28,509
Less: Preferred stock distributions	6,133			—			6,133
Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	46,793		$	(24,417	)	$	22,376



	December 31, 2016						December 31, 2015
	Real Property Operations		Home Sales and Home Rentals		Consolidated		Real Property Operations		Home Sales and Home Rentals		Consolidated
Identifiable assets:
Investment property, net	$	5,019,165	$	450,316	$	5,469,481	$	3,303,287	$	417,828	$	3,721,115
Cash and cash equivalents	3,705		4,459		8,164		44,150		936		45,086
Inventory of manufactured homes	—		21,632		21,632		—		14,828		14,828
Notes and other receivables, net	68,901		12,278		81,179		34,258		13,714		47,972
Collateralized receivables, net	143,870		—		143,870		139,768		—		139,768
Other assets, net	143,650		2,800		146,450		209,957		3,073		213,030
Total assets	$	5,379,291	$	491,485	$	5,870,776	$	3,731,420	$	450,379	$	4,181,799

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 34
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51669610&loc=d3e8981-108599

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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+ Details

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

We have elected to be taxed as a "REIT" pursuant to Section 856(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“Code”), as amended. In order for us to qualify as a REIT, at least 95% of our gross income in any year must be derived from qualifying sources. In addition, a REIT must distribute annually at least 90% 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 year ended December 31, 2016.

As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to 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 (including any applicable alternative minimum tax). 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 of Carefree in 2016. 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 the United States.

For income tax purposes, distributions paid to common stockholders consist of ordinary income, capital gains, and return of capital. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, distributions paid per share were taxable as follows (unaudited/rounded):



	Years Ended December 31,
	2016				2015				2014
	Amount		Percentage		Amount		Percentage		Amount		Percentage
Ordinary income	$	0.81	31.2	%	$	1.08	41.7	%	$	0.82	31.7	%
Capital gain	0.51		19.6	%	0.78		30.1	%	0.64		24.6	%
Return of capital	1.28		49.2	%	0.74		28.2	%	1.14		43.7	%
Total distributions declared	$	2.60	100.0	%	$	2.60	100.0	%	$	2.60	100.0	%

Our taxable REIT subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income taxes as well as state and local income and franchise taxes. In addition, our Canadian subsidiaries are subject to income tax in Canada.

The components of our provision for income taxes attributable to continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 are as follows (amounts in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31, 2016
Federal
Current	$	187
State and Local
Current	438
Foreign
Current	58
Deferred	(400		)
	(342		)

Total Provision	$	283

The above provision summary is presented only for the year 2016 due to the acquisition of Carefree which is taxable in Canada.

A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes with the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2016 is as follows (amounts in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31, 2016
Pre-tax income (loss) attributable to taxable subsidiaries	$	(11,157	)

Federal provision (benefit) at statutory tax rate (34%)	(3,794		)	34.0	%
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit	(183		)	1.6	%
Alternative minimum tax	93			(0.8	)%
Rate differential	104			(0.9	)%
Change in valuation allowance	4,021			(36.0	)%
Others	(225		)	2.0	%
Tax provision - taxable subsidiaries	16			(0.1	)%
Other state taxes - flow through subsidiaries	267
Total provision	$	283

The above reconciliation summary is presented only for the year 2016 due to the acquisition of Carefree which is taxable in Canada.

Our 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.

The deferred tax assets and liabilities included in the consolidated balance sheets are comprised of the following tax effects of temporary differences (amounts in thousands):



	As of December 31,
	2016			2015
Deferred Tax Assets
Net operating loss carryforwards	$	30,821		$	31,096
Real estate assets	33,167			27,315
Other	1,746			1,430
Gross deferred tax assets	65,734			59,841
Valuation allowance	(63,862		)	(59,841		)
Net deferred tax assets	1,872			—

Deferred Tax Liabilities
Basis differences - foreign investment	(23,816		)	—
Gross deferred tax liabilities	(23,816		)	—

Net Deferred Tax Liability ⁽¹⁾	$	(21,944	)	$	—

⁽¹⁾ Net deferred tax liability is included within Other liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

SHS has U.S. operating loss carryforwards of approximately $85.1 million , or $28.9 million after tax, as of December 31, 2016. The loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2021 through 2035 if not offset by future taxable income. In addition, our Canadian subsidiaries have operating loss carryforwards of approximately $8.7 million, or $2.3 million after tax, as of December 31, 2016. The loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2031 through 2036 if not offset by future taxable income.

We had no unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. We expect no significant increases or decreases in unrecognized tax benefits due to changes in tax positions within one year of December 31, 2016.

We classify certain state taxes as income taxes for financial reporting purposes. We recorded a provision for state income taxes of approximately $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and $0.2 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

As previously noted, we and our subsidiaries are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and various state jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, examinations by tax authorities for the tax years ended December 31, 2010 and prior. In addition, our Canadian subsidiaries are subject to taxes in Canada and in the province of Ontario. We are no longer subject to examination by the Canadian tax authorities for the tax years ended December 31, 2011 and prior.

Our policy is to report income tax penalties and income tax related interest expense as a component of income tax expense. No interest or penalty associated with any unrecognized income tax benefit or provision was accrued, nor was any income tax related interest or penalty recognized during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

We have outstanding stock options, unvested restricted shares, Series A Preferred Stock, and Series A-4 Preferred Stock, and our Operating Partnership has outstanding common OP units, Series A-1 preferred OP units, Series A-3 preferred OP units, Series A-4 preferred OP units, Series C preferred OP units, and Aspen preferred OP Units, which if converted or exercised, may impact dilution.

Computations of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows (in thousands, except per share data):



	Year Ended December 31,
Numerator	2016			2015			2014
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	17,369		$	137,325		$	22,376
Allocation of income to restricted stock awards	115			(1,757		)	(127		)
Net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation	$	17,484		$	135,568		$	22,249
Allocation of income to restricted stock awards	(115		)	—			127
Amounts attributable to Series A-4 Preferred Stock	—			—			76
Diluted earnings: net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation	$	17,369		$	135,568		$	22,452
Denominator
Weighted average common shares outstanding	65,856			53,686			41,337
Add: dilutive stock options	8			16			16
Add: dilutive restricted stock	457			—			237
Add: dilutive Series A-4 Preferred Stock	—			—			215
Diluted weighted average common shares and securities	66,321			53,702			41,805
Earnings per share available to common stockholders after allocation:
Basic	$	0.27		$	2.53		$	0.54
Diluted	$	0.26		$	2.52		$	0.54

We exclude certain securities from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the inclusion of these 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 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (amounts in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2016	2015	2014
Restricted Stock	—	813	—
Common OP units	2,759	2,863	2,561
Series A-1 preferred OP units	367	388	429
Series A-3 preferred OP units	40	40	40
Series A-4 preferred OP units	634	755	669
Series A-4 Preferred Stock	1,682	2,067	—
Series C preferred OP units	333	340	—
Aspen preferred OP units	1,284	1,284	1,284
Total securities	7,099	8,550	4,983

Quarterly Financial Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

The following is a condensed summary of our unaudited quarterly results for years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. Income (loss) per share for the year may not equal the sum of the fiscal quarters' income (loss) per share due to changes in basic and diluted shares outstanding.



	Quarters
	1st		2nd			3rd		4th
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
2016
Total revenues	$	174,644	$	190,799		$	249,701	$	218,634
Total expenses	162,638		195,781			226,688		211,569
Income (loss) before other items	$	12,006	$	(4,982	)	$	23,013	$	7,065

Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	7,875	$	(7,803	)	$	18,897	$	(1,600	)

Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic	$	0.14	$	(0.12	)	$	0.27	$	(0.02	)
Diluted	$	0.14	$	(0.12	)	$	0.27	$	(0.02	)


2015
Total revenues	$	155,200	$	165,938		$	185,355	$	168,238
Total expenses	151,646		154,862			163,771		165,697
Income before other items	$	3,554	$	11,076		$	21,584	$	2,541

Income from affiliate transactions⁽¹⁾	$	—	$	7,500		$	—	$	—
Gain (loss) on disposition of properties, net⁽²⁾	$	8,769	$	(13	)	$	18,190	$	98,430
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	6,869	$	12,294		$	28,763	$	89,399

Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.13	$	0.23		$	0.53	$	1.57
Diluted	$	0.13	$	0.23		$	0.53	$	1.56

⁽¹⁾Refer to Note 6, "Investment in Affiliates," for additional information.

⁽²⁾Refer to Note 2, "Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions," for additional information.

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Our objective in using interest rate derivatives is to manage exposure to interest rate movements thereby minimizing the effect of interest rate changes and the effect it could have on future cash flows. Interest rate caps are used to accomplish this objective. We do not enter into derivative instruments for speculative purposes nor do we have any swaps in a hedging arrangement.

The following table provides the terms of our interest rate derivative contracts that were in effect as of December 31, 2016:

Type

Purpose

Effective Date

Maturity Date

Notional

(in millions)

Based on

Variable Rate

Cap Rate

Spread

Effective Fixed Rate

Cap

Cap Floating Rate

4/1/2015

4/1/2018

150.1

3 Month LIBOR

2.7240%

9.0000%

—%

N/A

Cap

Cap Floating Rate

10/3/2016

5/1/2023

9.6

3 Month LIBOR

3.5240%

11.0200%

—%

N/A

In accordance with ASC Topic 815, "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815"), derivative instruments are recorded at fair value in "Other assets, net" or "Other liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the fair value of the derivatives was zero.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for derivative instruments and hedging activities including, but not limited to, risk management strategies, non-hedging derivative instruments, assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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+ Details

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable, derivative instruments, and debt.

ASC Topic 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" ("ASC 820"), requires disclosure about how fair value is determined 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:

Derivative Instruments

The derivative instruments held by us are interest rate cap agreements for which quoted market prices are indirectly available. For those derivatives, we use model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets provided by brokers or dealers to determine the fair values of derivative instruments on a recurring basis (Level 2). See Note 15, "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities."

Installment Notes Receivable on Manufactured Homes

The net carrying value of the installment notes receivable on manufactured homes estimates the fair value as the interest rates in the portfolio are comparable to current prevailing market rates (Level 2). Refer Note 4, "Notes and Other Receivables."

Long Term Debt and Lines of Credit

The fair value of long-term debt (excluding the secured borrowing) 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."

Collateralized Receivables and Secured Borrowing

The fair value of these financial instruments offset each other as our collateralized receivables represent a transfer of financial assets and the cash proceeds received from these transactions have been classified as a secured borrowing on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The net carrying value of the collateralized receivables estimates the fair value as the interest rates in the portfolio are comparable to current prevailing market rates (Level 2). Refer to Note 3, "Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets."

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, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate their fair market values due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

The table below sets forth our financial assets and liabilities that required disclosure of their fair values on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2016. The table presents the carrying values and fair values of our financial instruments as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 that were measured using the valuation techniques described above (in thousands). The table excludes other financial instruments such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable because the carrying values associated with these instruments approximate fair value since their maturities are less than one year.



	December 31, 2016				December 31, 2015
Financial assets	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net	$	59,320	$	59,320	$	20,418	$	20,418
Collateralized receivables, net	$	143,870	$	143,870	$	139,768	$	139,768
Financial liabilities
Debt (excluding secured borrowing)	$	2,865,470	$	2,820,680	$	2,171,170	$	2,070,100
Secured borrowing	$	144,477	$	144,477	$	140,440	$	140,440
Lines of credit	$	100,095	$	98,640	$	24,687	$	23,520
Other liabilities (contingent consideration)	$	10,011	$	10,011	$	—	$	—

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	12 Months Ended
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Dec. 31, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-1 "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business." This update clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill, and consolidation. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that year, with early application allowed for certain transactions. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18 "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash." This update requires inclusion of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that year. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16 "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory." This update requires that an entity recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that year. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15 "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments". This update addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing existing diversity in practice. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that year. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments". 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. We are in the initial phases of evaluating how this guidance will impact our accounting policies regarding assessment of, and allowance for, loan losses. Refer to "Notes and other receivables" in Note 1, "Significant Accounting Policies" for additional information. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09 "Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting". The amendments in this update are intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payments. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that year. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 "Leases (Topic 842)." The core principle of this update is that a lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases while the accounting by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under previous GAAP. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Our income from real property and rental home revenue streams is derived from rental agreements where we are the lessor. As noted above, the lessor accounting model is largely unchanged by this update. We are the lessee in other arrangements, primarily for our executive offices, ground leases at five communities, and certain equipment. We are currently evaluating our inventory of such leases to determine which will require recognition of right of use assets and corresponding lease liabilities, and the related disclosure requirements thereto. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03 "Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs". This amendment requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15 "Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements" ("ASU 2015-15"). ASU 2015-15 provides commentary that the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting costs associated with line of credit arrangements as an asset and subsequently amortizing them ratably over the term of the revolving debt arrangement. We adopted these amendments retrospectively for all periods presented as of January 1, 2016. The adoption resulted in reclassifications of deferred financing costs of $8.4 million and $0.3 million from Other assets, net to Mortgage loans payable and Lines of credit, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015. The debt issuance costs of $0.3 million netted against Lines of credit related to our $58.0 million term loan, whereas $3.3 million of debt issuance costs related to our revolving loan remained classified within Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02 "Consolidation (Topic 810) Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis" ("ASU 2015-02") which modified the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities or voting interest entities. All entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. The Company is the sole general partner in a limited partnership, and as such, the Company has complete control in conducting all business activities associated with the Partnership. Limited partners do not have kick-out rights or participating rights. The Company adopted ASU 2015-02 as of January 1, 2016 and fully consolidates the activities of the Operating Partnership within its Consolidated Financial Statements under the variable interest entity model as it is the primary beneficiary. There was no impact to our Consolidated Financial Statements as we previously consolidated under the voting interest entity model. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)" ("ASU 2014-09"). The objective of this amendment is to establish a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most of the existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle is that a company 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. In applying this amendment, companies will perform a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. This amendment applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB ASC. An entity should apply the amendments using either the full retrospective approach or retrospectively with a cumulative effect of initially applying the amendments recognized at the date of initial application. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. We anticipate adopting ASU 2014-09 and the related updates subsequently issued by the FASB in January 2018, via the modified retrospective approach. Applicability of the standard updates to our revenue streams and other considerations are summarized below. Income from real property - is derived from rental agreements whereby we lease land to residents in our communities. We account for these revenues pursuant to ASC 840 "Leases." Revenue from home sales - is recognized pursuant to ASC 605 "Revenue Recognition," as the manufactured homes are tangible personal property that can be located on any parcel of land. The manufactured homes are not permanent fixtures or improvements to the underlying real estate, and are therefore not considered by us to be subject to the guidance in ASC 360-20 "Real Estate Sales." Rental home revenue - is comprised of rental agreements whereby we lease homes to residents in our communities. We account for these revenues pursuant to ASC 840 "Leases." Ancillary revenues - are primarily comprised of restaurant, golf, merchandise and other activities at our RV communities. These revenues are recognized pursuant to ASC 605 "Revenue Recognition," at point of sale to customers as our performance obligations are then satisfied. Interest income - on our notes receivable will continue to be recognized as revenue, but presented separately from revenue from contracts with customers, as interest income is not in the scope of ASU 2014-09 and the related updates subsequently issued by the FASB. Broker commissions and other revenues, net - is primarily comprised of (i) brokerage commissions that we account for on a net basis pursuant to ASC 605 "Revenue Recognition," as our performance obligation is to arrange for a third party to transfer a home to a customer; and (ii) notes receivable loss reserves. As detailed above, our revenues from home sales, ancillary revenues, and broker commissions will be in the scope of the new guidance. While our evaluations are ongoing, we do not expect material changes to our accounting policies for these revenue streams. Upon adoption, we will present contract assets and liabilities, as applicable, when one party to a transaction has performed and the other has not. Further, we will expand our disclosures regarding these revenue streams, as applicable, to discuss our contract balances, performance obligations, significant judgments made, and contract costs.

- Definition

The entire disclosure of changes in accounting principles, including adoption of new accounting pronouncements, that describes the new methods, amount and effects on financial statement line items.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507316

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Direct Effects of a Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6510796

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56949863&loc=d3e22583-107794

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Indirect Effects of a Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6515603

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56949863&loc=d3e22580-107794

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.10-01.(b)(6))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27015980&loc=d3e46468-122699

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Accounting Change
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503790

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56949863&loc=d3e22499-107794

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Retrospective Application
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6523989

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51655806&loc=d3e765-108305

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51655806&loc=d3e725-108305

+ Details

Commitments And Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Commitments And Contingencies	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies 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.

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions	Dec. 31, 2016
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	Related Party Transactions Lease of Executive Offices. Gary A. Shiffman, together with certain of his family members, indirectly owns a 16.75% equity interest 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 71,513 rentable square feet of permanent space, and 9,140 rentable square feet of temporary space. The initial term of the lease is until October 31, 2026, and the base rent is $17.45 per square foot (gross) until October 31, 2017, for both permanent and temporary space, with graduated rental 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. Legal Counsel. During 2014-2016, Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss, Professional Corporation acted as our general counsel and represented us in various matters. Arthur A. Weiss is the Chairman of the Board of Directors and a shareholder of such firm. We incurred legal fees and expenses owed to Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss of approximately $8.0 million, $4.6 million and $7.5 million in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2013, respectively. Tax Consequences Upon Sale of Properties. Gary A. Shiffman holds limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership which were received in connection with the contribution of properties from partnerships previously affiliated with him. Prior to any redemption of these limited partnership interests for our common stock, Mr. Shiffman will have tax consequences different from those on us and our public stockholders upon the sale of any of these partnerships. Therefore, we and Mr. Shiffman may have different objectives regarding the appropriate pricing and timing of any sale of those properties. ALL Acquisition During the fourth quarter of 2014 and the first quarter of 2015, we purchased a portfolio of 59 MH communities from the Green Courte parties for aggregate consideration of $1.3 billion. In January 2015, we sold 150,000 shares of our common stock and 200,000 Series A-4 preferred OP units for an aggregate purchase price of $12.5 million to one of the Green Courte parties. Randall K. Rowe and James R. Goldman are beneficial owners and directors and officers of certain of the Green Courte parties. Messrs. Rowe and Goldman served on our board of directors from January 2015 through March 2016. In June 2015, we issued 25,664 shares of common stock and 34,219 shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock to one of the Green Courte parties in connection with the ALL acquisition. In August 2015, we repurchased from certain of the Green Courte entities and their affiliates an aggregate of 4,066,586 shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $31.08 per share. As part of the aforementioned repurchase, 156,625 shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock held by Mr. Rowe and his affiliates and 22,577 shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock held by Mr. Goldman were repurchased. See Note 2, "Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions" and Note 9, "Equity and Mezzanine Securities," for additional information regarding these transactions.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for related party transactions. Examples of related party transactions include transactions between (a) a parent company and its subsidiary; (b) subsidiaries of a common parent; (c) and entity and its principal owners; and (d) affiliates.

+ References + Details

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
Subsequent Events Subsequent Events	Dec. 31, 2016
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	20. Subsequent Events In January 2017, we issued 280,502 shares of common stock under our Sales Agreement at the prevailing market price of our common stock at the time of each sale with a weighted average sales price of $76.47 per share. We received net proceeds totaling $21.2 million. Refer to Note 9, "Equity and Mezzanine Securities," for additional information regarding our Sales Agreement. In January 2017, we defeased a $18.9 million collateralized term loan with an interest rate of 6.49% that was due to mature on August 1, 2017, releasing one community. As a result of the transaction, we recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of $0.5 million. Additionally, in February 2017, we repaid a $10.0 million collateralized term loan with an interest rate of 5.57% that was due to mature on May 1, 2017, releasing an additional community. There were no debt extinguishment costs recognized for this transaction.

SCHEDULE III

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

SEC Schedule III, Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation Disclosure [Abstract]

Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation Disclosure [Text Block]



			Initial Cost to Company				Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition (Improvements)					Gross Amount Carried at December 31, 2016
Property Name	Location	Encumbrance	Land		Depreciable Assets		Land			Depreciable Assets		Land		Depreciable Assets		Total		Accumulated Depreciation		Date	Acquired (A) or Constructed (C)
Academy/West Pointe	Canton, MI	B	$	1,485	$	14,278	$	—		$	9,169	$	1,485	$	23,447	$	24,932	$	11,005	2000	(A)
Adirondack Gateway RV Resort & Campground	Gansevoort, NY	—	620		1,970		—			59		620		2,029		2,649		38		2016	(A)
Allendale Meadows Mobile Village	Allendale, MI	B	366		3,684		—			11,351		366		15,035		15,401		7,990		1996	(A)
Alpine Meadows Mobile Village	Grand Rapids, MI	A	729		6,692		—			9,744		729		16,436		17,165		8,434		1996	(A&C)
Alta Laguna	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	D	23,310		20,547		—			554		23,310		21,101		44,411		375		2016	(A)
Apple Carr Village	Muskegon, MI	—	800		6,172		—			6,587		800		12,759		13,559		2,697		2011	(A)
Apple Creek Manufactured Home Community and Self Storage	Amelia, OH	B	543		5,480		—			2,276		543		7,756		8,299		3,714		1999	(A)
Arbor Terrace RV Park	Bradenton, FL	—	456		4,410		—			3,882		456		8,292		8,748		3,718		1996	(A)
Ariana Village Mobile Home Park	Lakeland, FL	D	240		2,195		—			1,389		240		3,584		3,824		2,009		1994	(A)
Arran Lake RV Resort & Campground	Allenford, ON ⁽¹⁾	—	1,190		1,175		(65		)	32		1,125		1,207		2,332		20		2016	(A)
Austin Lone Star RV Resort	Austin, TX	—	630		7,913		—			854		630		8,767		9,397		156		2016	(A)
Autumn Ridge	Ankeny, IA ⁽³⁾	B	890		8,054		(33		)	4,573		857		12,627		13,484		6,461		1996	(A)
Bahia Vista Estates	Sarasota, FL	—	6,810		17,650		—			540		6,810		18,190		25,000		322		2016	(A)
Baker Acres RV Resort	Zephyrhills, FL	E	2,140		11,880		—			792		2,140		12,672		14,812		221		2016	(A)
Bell Crossing	Clarksville, TN ⁽³⁾	B	717		1,916		(13		)	8,233		704		10,149		10,853		4,802		1999	(A&C)
Big Timber Lake RV Resort	Cape May, NJ	A	590		21,308		—			1,836		590		23,144		23,734		3,129		2013	(A)
Big Tree RV Resort	Arcadia, FL	—	1,250		13,534		—			890		1,250		14,424		15,674		256		2016	(A)
Blazing Star	San Antonio, TX	—	750		6,163		—			1,440		750		7,603		8,353		1,369		2012	(A)
Blue Heron Pines	Punta Gorda, FL	E	410		35,294		—			1,531		410		36,825		37,235		1,853		2015	(A)
Blue Jay MH & RV Resort	Dade City, FL	—	2,040		9,679		—			512		2,040		10,191		12,231		177		2016	(A)
Blue Star/Lost Dutchman	Apache Junction, AZ	E	5,120		12,720		—			5,328		5,120		18,048		23,168		1,401		2014	(A)
Blueberry Hill	Bushnell, FL	C	3,830		3,240		—			2,903		3,830		6,143		9,973		1,148		2012	(A)
Boulder Ridge	Pflugerville, TX	B	1,000		500		3,324			26,068		4,324		26,568		30,892		12,020		1998	(C)
Branch Creek Estates	Austin, TX	B	796		3,716		—			5,502		796		9,218		10,014		5,467		1995	(A&C)



			Initial Cost to Company		Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition (Improvements)			Gross Amount Carried at December 31, 2016
Property Name	Location	Encumbrance	Land	Depreciable Assets	Land	Depreciable Assets		Land	Depreciable Assets	Total	Accumulated Depreciation	Date	Acquired (A) or Constructed (C)
Brentwood Estates	Hudson, FL	E	1,150	9,359	—	1,489		1,150	10,848	11,998	551	2015	(A)
Brentwood Mobile Village	Kentwood, MI	B	385	3,592	—	2,261		385	5,853	6,238	3,493	1996	(A)
Brentwood West	Mesa, AZ	B	13,620	24,202	—	697		13,620	24,899	38,519	2,173	2014	(A)
Brookside Mobile Home Village	Goshen, IN	B	260	1,080	386	15,048		646	16,128	16,774	7,566	1985	(A&C)
Brookside Village	Kentwood, MI	D	170	5,564	—	526		170	6,090	6,260	1,203	2011	(A)
Buttonwood Bay	Sebring, FL	D	1,952	18,294	—	6,134		1,952	24,428	26,380	11,712	2001	(A)
Byron Center Mobile Village	Byron Center, MI	A	253	2,402	—	2,409		253	4,811	5,064	2,782	1996	(A)
Camelot Villa	Macomb, MI	A	910	21,211	—	11,653		910	32,864	33,774	4,275	2013	(A)
Campers Haven RV Resort	Dennisport, MA	—	14,260	11,915	—	544		14,260	12,459	26,719	225	2016	(A)
Candlelight Manor	South Dakota, FL	—	3,140	3,867	—	402		3,140	4,269	7,409	73	2016	(A)
Candlelight Village	Sauk Village, IL	A	600	5,623	—	9,154		600	14,777	15,377	7,502	1996	(A)
Cape May Crossing	Cape May, NJ	—	270	1,693	—	459		270	2,152	2,422	37	2016	(A)
Cape May KOA	Cape May, NJ	C	650	7,736	—	5,132		650	12,868	13,518	2,047	2013	(A)
Carriage Cove	Sanford, FL	E	6,050	21,235	—	1,968		6,050	23,203	29,253	2,059	2014	(A)
Carrington Pointe	Ft. Wayne, IN	—	1,076	3,632	—	9,210		1,076	12,842	13,918	5,710	1997	(A&C)
Castaways RV Resort & Campground	Berlin, MD	A	14,320	22,277	—	5,096		14,320	27,373	41,693	2,700	2014	(A&C)
Cava Robles RV Resort	Paso Robles, CA	—	1,396	—	—	4,069		1,396	4,069	5,465	—	2014	(C)
Cave Creek	Evans, CO	B	2,241	15,343	—	14,007		2,241	29,350	31,591	8,503	2004	(C)
Central Park MH & RV Resort	Haines City, FL	—	2,600	10,405	—	672		2,600	11,077	13,677	198	2016	(A)
Chisholm Point Estates	Pflugerville, TX	B	609	5,286	—	4,733		609	10,019	10,628	6,120	1995	(A&C)
Cider Mill Crossings	Fenton, MI	C	520	1,568	—	16,264		520	17,832	18,352	4,175	2011	(A&C)
Cider Mill Village	Middleville, MI	A	250	3,590	—	3,434		250	7,024	7,274	1,580	2011	(A)
Citrus Hill RV Resort	Dade City, FL	—	1,170	2,422	—	544		1,170	2,966	4,136	52	2016	(A)
Clear Water Mobile Village	South Bend, IN	B	80	1,270	61	6,289		141	7,559	7,700	3,524	1986	(A)
Club Naples	Naples, FL	C	5,780	4,952	—	2,464		5,780	7,416	13,196	1,554	2011	(A)
Club Wildwood	Hudson, FL	E	13,780	21,770	—	(705	)	13,780	21,065	34,845	376	2016	(A)
Cobus Green Mobile Home Park	Osceola, IN	A	762	7,037	—	8,849		762	15,886	16,648	7,811	1993	(A)
The Colony ⁽²⁾	Oxnard, CA	—	—	6,437	—	585		—	7,022	7,022	118	2016	(A)
Comal Farms	New Braunfels, TX	C	1,455	1,732	—	8,447		1,455	10,179	11,634	4,658	2000	(A&C)



			Initial Cost to Company		Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition (Improvements)				Gross Amount Carried at December 31, 2016
Property Name	Location	Encumbrance	Land	Depreciable Assets	Land		Depreciable Assets		Land	Depreciable Assets	Total	Accumulated Depreciation		Date	Acquired (A) or Constructed (C)
Continental North	Davison, MI	A	749	6,089	—		13,112		749	19,201	19,950	9,975		1996	(A&C)
Corporate Headquarters	Southfield, MI	—	—	—	—		48,357		—	48,357	48,357	13,233		Various
Country Acres Mobile Village	Cadillac, MI	A	380	3,495	—		3,709		380	7,204	7,584	3,752		1996	(A)
Country Hills Village	Hudsonville, MI	A	340	3,861	—		2,723		340	6,584	6,924	1,810		2011	(A)
Country Meadows Mobile Village	Flat Rock, MI	B	924	7,583	296		19,418		1,220	27,001	28,221	15,067		1994	(A&C)
Country Meadows Village	Caledonia, MI	C	550	5,555	—		4,873		550	10,428	10,978	2,020		2011	(A&C)
Country Squire MH & RV Resort	Paisley, FL	—	520	1,719	—		567		520	2,286	2,806	39		2016	(A)
Countryside Atlanta	Lawrenceville, GA	—	1,274	10,957	—		4,130		1,274	15,087	16,361	5,242		2004	(A)
Countryside Estates	Mckean, PA	E	320	11,610	—		1,348		320	12,958	13,278	1,145		2014	(A)
Countryside Gwinnett	Buford, GA	A	1,124	9,539	—		4,100		1,124	13,639	14,763	6,135		2004	(A)
Countryside Lake Lanier	Buford, GA	B	1,916	16,357	—		9,562		1,916	25,919	27,835	10,230		2004	(A)
Countryside Village	Great Falls, MT	—	430	7,157	—		910		430	8,067	8,497	668		2014	(A)
Craigleith RV Resort & Campground	Clarksburg, ON ⁽¹⁾	—	420	705	(23	)	50		397	755	1,152	13		2016	(A)
Creekwood Meadows	Burton, MI	A	808	2,043	404		15,269		1,212	17,312	18,524	8,903		1997	(C)
Cutler Estates Mobile Village	Grand Rapids, MI	B	749	6,941	—		3,975		749	10,916	11,665	6,167		1996	(A)
Cypress Greens	Lake Alfred, FL	E	960	17,518	—		755		960	18,273	19,233	958	0.173	2015	(A)
Daytona Beach RV Resort	Port Orange, FL	—	2,300	7,158	—		1,014		2,300	8,172	10,472	145		2016	(A)
Deer Lake RV Resort & Campground	Huntsville, ON ⁽¹⁾	—	2,830	4,260	(155	)	(191	)	2,675	4,069	6,744	69		2016	(A)
Deerfield Run	Anderson, IN	C	990	1,607	—		6,862		990	8,469	9,459	3,548		1999	(A&C)
Deerwood	Orlando, FL	B	6,920	37,593	—		3,122		6,920	40,715	47,635	2,101		2015	(A)
Desert Harbor	Apache Junction, AZ	E	3,940	14,891	—		304		3,940	15,195	19,135	1,310		2014	(A)
Driftwood Camping Resort	Clermont, NJ	D	1,450	29,851	—		2,426		1,450	32,277	33,727	3,114		2014	(A)
Dunedin RV Resort	Dunedin, FL	E	4,400	16,923	—		723		4,400	17,646	22,046	310		2016	(A)
Dutton Mill Village	Caledonia, MI	A	370	8,997	—		1,913		370	10,910	11,280	2,302		2011	(A)
Eagle Crest	Firestone, CO	B	2,015	150	—		31,009		2,015	31,159	33,174	13,809		1998	(C)
East Fork	Batavia, OH	C	1,280	6,302	—		18,095		1,280	24,397	25,677	8,423		2000	(A&C)
East Village Estates	Washington Twp., MI	A	1,410	25,413	—		3,764		1,410	29,177	30,587	4,949		2012	(A)
Egelcraft	Muskegon, MI	D	690	22,596	—		1,740		690	24,336	25,026	2,167		2014	(A)



			Initial Cost to Company		Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition (Improvements)				Gross Amount Carried at December 31, 2016
Property Name	Location	Encumbrance	Land	Depreciable Assets	Land		Depreciable Assets		Land	Depreciable Assets	Total	Accumulated Depreciation	Date	Acquired (A) or Constructed (C)
Ellenton Gardens RV Resort	Ellenton, FL	E	2,130	7,755	—		875		2,130	8,630	10,760	150	2016	(A)
Fairfield Village	Ocala, FL	B	1,160	18,673	—		245		1,160	18,918	20,078	981	2015	(A)
Fiesta Village	Mesa, AZ	C	2,830	4,475	—		679		2,830	5,154	7,984	427	2014	(A)
Fisherman's Cove	Flint, MI	A	380	3,438	—		3,803		380	7,241	7,621	4,446	1993	(A)
Forest Meadows	Philomath, OR	A	1,031	2,050	—		582		1,031	2,632	3,663	1,485	1999	(A)
Forest View	Homosassa, FL	B	1,330	22,056	—		159		1,330	22,215	23,545	1,168	2015	(A)
Fort Tatham RV Resort & Campground	Sylva, NC	—	110	760	—		452		110	1,212	1,322	21	2016	(A)
Fort Whaley	Whaleyville, MD	C	510	5,194	—		2,189		510	7,383	7,893	349	2015	(A)
Four Seasons	Elkhart, IN	A	500	4,811	—		3,675		500	8,486	8,986	3,857	2000	(A)
Frenchtown Villa/Elizabeth Woods	Newport, MI	E	1,450	52,327	—		8,795		1,450	61,122	62,572	5,172	2014	(A)
Friendly Village of La Habra	La Habra, CA	D	26,530	25,697	—		(389	)	26,530	25,308	51,838	468	2016	(A)
Friendly Village of Modesto	Modesto, CA	D	6,260	20,885	—		263		6,260	21,148	27,408	353	2016	(A)
Friendly Village of Simi	Simi Valley, CA	D	14,480	15,445	—		608		14,480	16,053	30,533	282	2016	(A)
Friendly Village of West Covina	West Covina, CA	D	14,520	5,221	—		540		14,520	5,761	20,281	107	2016	(A)
Frontier Town	Ocean City, MD	C	18,960	43,166	—		4,165		18,960	47,331	66,291	2,604	2015	(A)
Glen Haven RV Resort	Zephyrhills, FL	E	1,980	8,373	—		752		1,980	9,125	11,105	158	2016	(A)
Glen Laurel	Concord, NC	C	1,641	453	—		14,159		1,641	14,612	16,253	6,422	2001	(A&C)
Gold Coaster	Homestead, FL	A	446	4,234	172		5,522		618	9,756	10,374	4,535	1997	(A)
Grand Bay	Dunedin, FL	—	3,460	6,314	—		490		3,460	6,804	10,264	117	2016	(A)
Grand Lakes	Citra, FL	C	5,280	4,501	—		3,504		5,280	8,005	13,285	1,446	2012	(A)
Grand Mobile Estates	Grand Rapids, MI	B	374	3,587	—		3,747		374	7,334	7,708	3,428	1996	(A)
Grand Oaks RV Resort & Campground	Cayuga, ON ⁽¹⁾	—	970	4,220	(53	)	(145	)	917	4,075	4,992	69	2016	(A)
Grove Ridge RV Resort	Dade City, FL	E	1,290	5,387	—		625		1,290	6,012	7,302	105	2016	(A)
The Grove at Alta Ridge	Thornton, CO	E	5,370	37,116	—		(115	)	5,370	37,001	42,371	3,141	2014	(A)
Groves RV Resort	Ft. Myers, FL	A	249	2,396	—		3,489		249	5,885	6,134	2,319	1997	(A)
Gulfstream Harbor	Orlando, FL	B	14,510	78,930	—		2,651		14,510	81,581	96,091	4,274	2015	(A)
Gulliver's Lake RV Resort & Campground	Millgrove, ON ⁽¹⁾	—	2,950	2,950	(162	)	(60	)	2,788	2,890	5,678	50	2016	(A)



			Initial Cost to Company		Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition (Improvements)				Gross Amount Carried at December 31, 2016
Property Name	Location	Encumbrance	Land	Depreciable Assets	Land		Depreciable Assets		Land	Depreciable Assets	Total	Accumulated Depreciation	Date	Acquired (A) or Constructed (C)
Gwynn's Island RV Resort & Campground	Gwynn, VA	C	760	595	—		1,657		760	2,252	3,012	363	2013	(A)
Hamlin	Webberville, MI	B	125	1,675	536		12,162		661	13,837	14,498	5,762	1984	(A&C)
Heritage	Temecula, CA	D	13,200	7,877	—		493		13,200	8,370	21,570	152	2016	(A)
The Hamptons	Auburndale, FL	B	15,890	67,555	—		1,606		15,890	69,161	85,051	3,541	2015	(A)
Hickory Hills Village	Battle Creek, MI	—	760	7,697	—		2,235		760	9,932	10,692	2,219	2011	(A)
The Hideaway	Key West, FL	—	2,720	972	—		461		2,720	1,433	4,153	26	2016	(A)
Hidden Ridge RV Resort	Hopkins, MI	C	440	893	—		1,722		440	2,615	3,055	579	2011	(A)
Hidden River RV Resort	Riverview, FL	—	3,950	6,376	—		604		3,950	6,980	10,930	121	2016	(A)
Hidden Valley RV Resort & Campground	Normandale, ON⁽¹⁾	—	2,610	4,170	(143	)	(171	)	2,467	3,999	6,466	68	2016	(A)
High Pointe	Frederica, DE ⁽³⁾	—	898	7,031	(42	)	6,371		856	13,402	14,258	6,094	1997	(A)
The Hills	Apopka, FL	—	1,790	3,869	—		746		1,790	4,615	6,405	79	2016	(A)
Hill Country Cottage and RV Resort	New Braunfels, TX	—	3,790	27,200	—		(254	)	3,790	26,946	30,736	638	2016	(A)
Holiday West Village	Holland, MI	B	340	8,067	—		1,393		340	9,460	9,800	2,017	2011	(A)
Holly Forest Estates	Holly Hill, FL	B	920	8,376	—		889		920	9,265	10,185	5,644	1997	(A)
Holly Village/Hawaiian Gardens	Holly, MI	B	1,514	13,596	—		4,705		1,514	18,301	19,815	7,065	2004	(A)
Homosassa River RV Resort	Homosassa Springs, FL	—	1,520	5,020	—		584		1,520	5,604	7,124	110	2016	(A)
Horseshoe Cove RV Resort	Bradenton, FL	E	9,040	33,107	—		102		9,040	33,209	42,249	603	2016	(A)
Hunters Crossing	Capac, MI	C	430	1,092	—		1,187		430	2,279	2,709	355	2012	(A)
Hunters Glen	Wayland, MI	C	1,102	11,926	—		8,444		1,102	20,370	21,472	7,243	2004	(C)
Indian Creek Park	Ft. Myers Beach, FL	D	3,832	34,660	—		10,305		3,832	44,965	48,797	25,890	1996	(A)
Indian Creek RV & Camping Resort	Geneva on the Lake, OH ⁽³⁾	C	420	20,791	(5	)	4,595		415	25,386	25,801	3,124	2013	(A&C)
Indian Wells RV Resort	Indio, CA	D	2,880	19,470	—		1,090		2,880	20,560	23,440	367	2016	(A)
Island Lakes	Merritt Island, FL	D	700	6,431	—		643		700	7,074	7,774	4,778	1995	(A)
Jellystone Park^(TM) at Birchwood Acres	Greenfield Park, NY	A	560	5,527	—		4,637		560	10,164	10,724	1,622	2013	(A)
Jellystone Park ^(TM) at Larkspur	Larkspur, CO	—	1,880	5,521	—		1,010		1,880	6,531	8,411	117	2016	(A)
Jellystone Park^(TM) of Western New York	North Java, NY	A	870	8,884	—		3,081		870	11,965	12,835	2,059	2013	(A)
Kensington Meadows	Lansing, MI	B	250	2,699	—		8,504		250	11,203	11,453	6,418	1995	(A&C)



			Initial Cost to Company		Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition (Improvements)			Gross Amount Carried at December 31, 2016
Property Name	Location	Encumbrance	Land	Depreciable Assets	Land		Depreciable Assets	Land	Depreciable Assets	Total	Accumulated Depreciation	Date	Acquired (A) or Constructed (C)
Kimberly Estates	Newport, MI	—	1,250	6,160	—		3,843	1,250	10,003	11,253	159	2016	(A)
Kings Court Mobile Village	Traverse City, MI	B	1,473	13,782	269		4,575	1,742	18,357	20,099	11,441	1996	(A)
Kings Lake	DeBary, FL	D	280	2,542	—		2,768	280	5,310	5,590	3,163	1994	(A)
Kings Manor	Lakeland, FL	—	2,270	5,578	—		436	2,270	6,014	8,284	102	2016	(A)
King's Pointe	Lake Alfred, FL	B	510	16,763	—		337	510	17,100	17,610	879	2015	(A)
Kissimmee Gardens	Kissimmee, FL	—	3,270	14,402	—		441	3,270	14,843	18,113	254	2016	(A)
Kissimmee South RV Resort	Davenport, FL	—	3,740	6,819	—		847	3,740	7,666	11,406	137	2016	(A)
Knollwood Estates	Allendale, MI	A	400	4,061	—		4,064	400	8,125	8,525	3,891	2001	(A)
La Casa Blanca	Apache Junction, AZ	B	4,370	14,142	—		569	4,370	14,711	19,081	1,264	2014	(A)
La Costa Village	Port Orange, FL	D	3,640	62,315	—		715	3,640	63,030	66,670	3,254	2015	(A)
La Hacienda RV Resort	Austin, TX	C	3,670	22,225	—		782	3,670	23,007	26,677	1,473	2015	(A)
Lafayette Place	Warren, MI	A	669	5,979	—		6,943	669	12,922	13,591	6,437	1998	(A)
Lafontaine RV Resort & Campground	Tiny, ON ⁽¹⁾	—	1,290	2,075	(71	)	78	1,219	2,153	3,372	35	2016	(A)
Lake Avenue RV Resort & Campground	Cherry Valley, ON ⁽¹⁾	—	670	1,290	(37	)	40	633	1,330	1,963	22	2016	(A)
Lake In Wood	Narvon, PA	A	7,360	7,097	—		1,368	7,360	8,465	15,825	1,513	2012	(A)
Lake Josephine	Sebring, FL	—	—	—	—		3,400	—	3,400	3,400	—	2016	(A)
Lake Juliana Landings	Auburndale, FL	A	335	3,048	—		1,706	335	4,754	5,089	2,895	1994	(A)
Lake Pointe Village	Mulberry, FL	D	480	29,795	—		338	480	30,133	30,613	1,548	2015	(A)
Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort	Santa Claus, IN	A	2,340	28,113	—		5,491	2,340	33,604	35,944	4,213	2014	(A&C)
Lake San Marino RV Park	Naples, FL	A	650	5,760	—		3,934	650	9,694	10,344	4,652	1996	(A)
Lakefront	Lakeside, CA	D	21,130	16,899	—		560	21,130	17,459	38,589	310	2016	(A)
Lakeland RV Resort	Lakeland, FL	—	1,730	5,524	—		597	1,730	6,121	7,851	107	2016	(A)
Lakeshore Landings	Orlando, FL	A	2,570	19,481	—		904	2,570	20,385	22,955	1,728	2014	(A)
Lakeshore Villas	Tampa, FL	B	3,080	18,983	—		380	3,080	19,363	22,443	1,004	2015	(A)
Lakeside Crossing	Conway, SC	D	3,520	31,615	—		3,331	3,520	34,946	38,466	1,663	2015	(A&C)
Lakeview	Ypsilanti, MI	C	1,156	10,903	—		6,187	1,156	17,090	18,246	6,900	2004	(A)
Lamplighter	Port Orange, FL	B	1,330	12,846	—		518	1,330	13,364	14,694	691	2015	(A)
Leisure Village	Belmont, MI	C	360	8,219	—		376	360	8,595	8,955	1,634	2011	(A)
Lemon Wood	Ventura, CA	D	19,540	6,918	—		626	19,540	7,544	27,084	133	2016	(A)
Liberty Farms	Valparaiso, IN	C	66	1,201	116		3,448	182	4,649	4,831	2,623	1985	(A&C)



			Initial Cost to Company		Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition (Improvements)			Gross Amount Carried at December 31, 2016
Property Name	Location	Encumbrance	Land	Depreciable Assets	Land		Depreciable Assets	Land	Depreciable Assets	Total	Accumulated Depreciation	Date	Acquired (A) or Constructed (C)
Lincoln Estates	Holland, MI	C	455	4,201	—		2,907	455	7,108	7,563	4,143	1996	(A)
Long Beach RV Resort & Campground	Barnegat, NJ	—	710	3,414	—		487	710	3,901	4,611	67	2016	(A)
Majestic Oaks RV Resort	Zephyrhills, FL	E	3,940	4,725	—		657	3,940	5,382	9,322	95	2016	(A)
Maple Brook	Matteson, IL	B	8,460	48,865	—		536	8,460	49,401	57,861	4,260	2014	(A)
Maplewood Manor	Brunswick, ME	E	1,770	12,982	—		1,774	1,770	14,756	16,526	1,271	2014	(A)
Marco Naples RV Resort	Naples, FL	—	2,790	10,458	—		731	2,790	11,189	13,979	199	2016	(A)
Meadow Lake Estates	White Lake, MI	B	1,188	11,498	127		8,772	1,315	20,270	21,585	12,986	1994	(A)
Meadowbrook	Charlotte, NC	C	1,310	6,570	—		16,020	1,310	22,590	23,900	8,149	2000	(A&C)
Meadowbrook Estates	Monroe, MI	A	431	3,320	379		13,264	810	16,584	17,394	9,444	1986	(A)
Meadowbrook Village	Tampa, FL	B	519	4,728	—		827	519	5,555	6,074	3,893	1994	(A)
Meadowlands of Gibraltar	Rockwood, MI	A	640	7,673	—		4,639	640	12,312	12,952	682	2015	(A)
Merrymeeting	Brunswick, ME	C	250	1,020	—		813	250	1,833	2,083	144	2014	(A)
Mill Creek RV Resort	Kissimmee, FL	—	1,400	4,839	—		873	1,400	5,712	7,112	105	2016	(A)
Mountain View	Mesa, AZ	B	5,490	12,325	—		382	5,490	12,707	18,197	1,108	2014	(A)
Napa Valley	Napa, CA	D	17,740	11,675	—		534	17,740	12,209	29,949	221	2016	(A)
Naples RV Resort	Naples, FL	C	3,640	2,020	—		1,730	3,640	3,750	7,390	743	2011	(A)
New Point RV Resort	New Point, VA	C	1,550	5,259	—		3,737	1,550	8,996	10,546	1,312	2013	(A)
New Ranch	Clearwater, FL	—	2,270	2,723	—		473	2,270	3,196	5,466	57	2016	(A)
North Lake	Moore Haven, FL	C	4,150	3,486	—		1,718	4,150	5,204	9,354	1,108	2011	(A)
North Point Estates	Pueblo, CO	C	1,582	3,027	—		5,198	1,582	8,225	9,807	3,501	2001	(C)
Northville Crossings	Northville, MI	B	1,236	29,564	—		9,779	1,236	39,343	40,579	7,529	2012	(A)
Oak Creek	Coarsegold, CA	B	4,760	11,185	—		1,239	4,760	12,424	17,184	1,050	2014	(A)
Oak Crest	Austin, TX	B	4,311	12,611	—		9,797	4,311	22,408	26,719	8,294	2002	(C)
Oak Island Village	East Lansing, MI	—	320	6,843	—		2,379	320	9,222	9,542	2,058	2011	(A)
Oak Ridge	Manteno, IL	D	1,090	36,941	—		2,062	1,090	39,003	40,093	3,314	2014	(A)
Oakview Estates	Arcadia, FL	—	850	3,881	—		506	850	4,387	5,237	77	2016	(A)
Oakwood Village	Miamisburg, OH	B	1,964	6,401	—		14,257	1,964	20,658	22,622	10,223	1998	(A&C)
Ocean Breeze	Marathon, FL	—	2,330	1,770	—		481	2,330	2,251	4,581	59	2016	(A)
Ocean Breeze Jensen Beach	Jensen Beach, FL	—	18,600	13,321	—		3,763	18,600	17,084	35,684	265	2016	(A)
Orange City MH & RV Resort	Orange City, FL	C	920	5,540	—		1,680	920	7,220	8,140	1,392	2011	(A)
Orange Tree Village	Orange City, FL	D	283	2,530	15		1,040	298	3,570	3,868	2,391	1994	(A)
Orchard Lake	Milford, OH ⁽³⁾	C	395	4,025	(15	)	1,398	380	5,423	5,803	2,618	1999	(A)



			Initial Cost to Company		Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition (Improvements)				Gross Amount Carried at December 31, 2016
Property Name	Location	Encumbrance	Land	Depreciable Assets	Land		Depreciable Assets		Land	Depreciable Assets	Total	Accumulated Depreciation	Date	Acquired (A) or Constructed (C)
Paddock Park South	Ocala, FL	—	630	6,601	—		471		630	7,072	7,702	119	2016	(A)
Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort	Casa Grande, AZ	A	11,836	76,143	—		12,977		11,836	89,120	100,956	15,552	2012	(A&C)
Palm Key Village	Davenport, FL	B	3,840	15,661	—		869		3,840	16,530	20,370	855	2015	(A)
Palm Village	Bradenton, FL	—	2,970	2,849	—		466		2,970	3,315	6,285	59	2016	(A)
Palos Verdes Shores MH & Golf Community⁽²⁾	San Pedro, CA	D	—	21,815	—		383		—	22,198	22,198	386	2016	(A)
Park Place	Sebastian, FL	D	1,360	48,678	—		485		1,360	49,163	50,523	2,515	2015	(A)
Park Royale	Pinellas Park, FL	—	670	29,046	—		(10	)	670	29,036	29,706	1,514	2015	(A)
Parkside Village	Cheektowaga, NY	B	550	10,402	—		252		550	10,654	11,204	907	2014	(A)
Pebble Creek	Greenwood, IN	C	1,030	5,074	—		6,488		1,030	11,562	12,592	5,952	2000	(A&C)
Pecan Branch	Georgetown, TX	C	1,379	—	235		4,548		1,614	4,548	6,162	2,159	1999	(C)
Pecan Park RV Resort	Jacksonville, FL	—	2,000	5,000	—		126		2,000	5,126	7,126	91	2016	(A)
Pelican Bay	Micco, FL	A	470	10,543	—		627		470	11,170	11,640	612	2015	(A)
Pelican Bay Resort & Marina	Marathon, FL	—	4,760	4,742	—		520		4,760	5,262	10,022	104	2016	(A)
Pembroke Downs	Chino, CA	D	9,560	7,269	—		417		9,560	7,686	17,246	128	2016	(A)
Peter's Pond RV Resort	Sandwich, MA	C	4,700	22,840	—		3,526		4,700	26,366	31,066	4,024	2013	(A)
Petoskey RV Resort	Petoskey, MI	—	230	3,270	—		2		230	3,272	3,502	57	2016	(A)
Pheasant Ridge	Lancaster, PA	A	2,044	19,279	—		638		2,044	19,917	21,961	9,535	2002	(A)
Pickerel Park RV Resort & Campground	Napanee, ON ⁽¹⁾	—	900	2,125	(49	)	24		851	2,149	3,000	36	2016	(A)
Pin Oak Parc	O'Fallon, MO	B	1,038	3,250	467		12,707		1,505	15,957	17,462	7,108	1994	(A&C)
Pine Hills	Middlebury, IN	A	72	544	60		3,514		132	4,058	4,190	2,221	1980	(A)
Pine Ridge	Prince George, VA	B	405	2,397	—		4,401		405	6,798	7,203	3,665	1986	(A)
Pine Trace	Houston, TX ⁽³⁾	C	2,907	17,169	(257	)	20,174		2,650	37,343	39,993	10,239	2004	(A&C)
Pinebrook Village	Grand Rapids, MI	C	130	5,692	—		1,745		130	7,437	7,567	1,600	2011	(A)
Plantation Landings	Haines City, FL	D	3,070	30,973	—		564		3,070	31,537	34,607	1,624	2015	(A)
Pleasant Lake RV Resort	Bradenton, FL	E	5,220	20,403	—		946		5,220	21,349	26,569	368	2016	(A)
Presidential Estates Mobile Village	Hudsonville, MI	B	680	6,314	—		6,554		680	12,868	13,548	7,015	1996	(A)
Rainbow RV Resort	Frostproof, FL	A	1,890	5,682	—		3,964		1,890	9,646	11,536	1,515	2012	(A)
Rainbow Village of Largo	Largo, FL	E	4,420	12,529	—		1,138		4,420	13,667	18,087	239	2016	(A)
Rainbow Village of Zepyrhills	Zephyrhills. FL	—	1,800	9,884	—		725		1,800	10,609	12,409	183	2016	(A)



			Initial Cost to Company		Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition (Improvements)				Gross Amount Carried at December 31, 2016
Property Name	Location	Encumbrance	Land	Depreciable Assets	Land		Depreciable Assets		Land	Depreciable Assets	Total	Accumulated Depreciation	Date	Acquired (A) or Constructed (C)
Rancho Alipaz ⁽²⁾	San Juan Capistrano, CA	—	—	2,856	—		597		—	3,453	3,453	60	2016	(A)
Rancho Caballero	Riverside, CA	D	16,560	12,446	—		611		16,560	13,057	29,617	227	2016	(A)
Rancho Mirage	Apache Junction, AZ	B	7,510	22,238	—		949		7,510	23,187	30,697	1,972	2014	(A)
Red Oaks RV Resort ⁽²⁾	Bushnell, FL	—	5,180	20,499	—		1,274		5,180	21,773	26,953	386	2016	(A)
Regency Heights	Clearwater, FL	—	11,330	15,734	—		372		11,330	16,106	27,436	273	2016	(A)
Reserve at Fox Creek	Bullhead City, AZ	D	1,950	20,074	—		893		1,950	20,967	22,917	1,781	2014	(A)
Richmond Place	Richmond, MI ⁽³⁾	A	501	2,040	(31	)	2,435		470	4,475	4,945	2,162	1998	(A)
The Ridge	Davenport, FL	B	8,350	35,463	—		1,109		8,350	36,572	44,922	1,875	2015	(A)
Riptide RV Resort & Marina	Key Largo, FL	—	2,440	991	—		529		2,440	1,520	3,960	30	2016	(A)
River Haven Village	Grand Haven, MI	C	1,800	16,967	—		9,322		1,800	26,289	28,089	11,497	2001	(A)
River Ranch	Austin, TX ⁽³⁾	C	4,690	843	(4	)	44,800		4,686	45,643	50,329	8,475	2000	(A&C)
River Ridge	Austin, TX	A	3,201	15,090	—		10,029		3,201	25,119	28,320	10,348	2002	(C)
Riverside Club	Ruskin, FL	D	1,600	66,207	—		2,514		1,600	68,721	70,321	3,510	2015	(A)
Rock Crusher Canyon RV Park	Crystal River, FL	—	420	5,542	—		2,200		420	7,742	8,162	442	2015	(A)
Roxbury Park	Goshen, IN	B	1,057	9,870	—		4,014		1,057	13,884	14,941	6,487	2001	(A)
Royal Country	Miami, FL	E	2,290	20,758	—		2,188		2,290	22,946	25,236	16,482	1994	(A)
Royal Palm Village	Haines City, FL	E	1,730	27,446	—		1,225		1,730	28,671	30,401	1,465	2015	(A)
Royal Palms MH & RV Resort ⁽²⁾	Cathedral City, CA	—	—	22,696	—		(631	)	—	22,065	22,065	395	2016	(A)
Rudgate Clinton	Clinton Township, MI	A	1,090	23,664	—		6,125		1,090	29,789	30,879	5,120	2012	(A)
Rudgate Manor	Sterling Heights, MI	A	1,440	31,110	—		9,311		1,440	40,421	41,861	6,814	2012	(A)
Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA	Saco, ME	C	790	3,576	—		2,518		790	6,094	6,884	756	2014	(A)
Saddle Oak Club	Ocala, FL	B	730	6,743	—		1,301		730	8,044	8,774	5,516	1995	(A)
Saddlebrook	San Marcos, TX	C	1,703	11,843	—		19,813		1,703	31,656	33,359	9,341	2002	(C)
Saint Clair Place	St. Clair, MI	A	501	2,029	—		1,962		501	3,991	4,492	1,988	1998	(A)
San Pedro RV Resort & Marina	Islamorada, FL	—	3,110	2,416	—		505		3,110	2,921	6,031	53	2016	(A)
Sandy Lake MH & RV Resort	Carrolton, TX	—	730	17,837	—		635		730	18,472	19,202	319	2016	(A)
Saralake Estates	Sarasota, FL	—	6,540	11,403	—		599		6,540	12,002	18,542	212	2016	(A)
Savanna Club	Port St. Lucie, FL	D	12,810	79,887	—		29		12,810	79,916	92,726	4,136	2015	(A)
Scio Farms Estates	Ann Arbor, MI ⁽³⁾	B	2,300	22,659	(12	)	14,542		2,288	37,201	39,489	22,637	1995	(A&C)



			Initial Cost to Company		Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition (Improvements)				Gross Amount Carried at December 31, 2016
Property Name	Location	Encumbrance	Land	Depreciable Assets	Land		Depreciable Assets		Land	Depreciable Assets	Total	Accumulated Depreciation	Date	Acquired (A) or Constructed (C)
Sea Air Village	Rehoboth Beach, DE	—	1,207	10,179	—		2,190		1,207	12,369	13,576	5,775	1997	(A)
Sea Breeze Resort	Islamorada, FL	—	7,390	4,616	—		473		7,390	5,089	12,479	93	2016	(A)
Seaport RV Resort	Old Mystic, CT	C	120	290	—		2,358		120	2,648	2,768	652	2013	(A)
Seashore Campsites RV Park and Campground	Cape May, NJ	D	1,030	23,228	—		2,296		1,030	25,524	26,554	2,416	2014	(A)
Serendipity	North Fort Myers, FL	B	1,160	23,522	—		2,157		1,160	25,679	26,839	1,359	2015	(A)
Settlers Rest RV Resort	Zephyrhills, FL	—	1,760	7,685	—		744		1,760	8,429	10,189	143	2016	(A)
Shadow Wood Village	Hudson, FL	—	4,520	3,898	—		398		4,520	4,296	8,816	73	2016	(A)
Shady Pines MH & RV Resort	Galloway Township, NJ	—	1,060	3,768	—		453		1,060	4,221	5,281	74	2016	(A)
Shady Road Villas	Ocala, FL	—	450	2,819	—		434		450	3,253	3,703	54	2016	(A)
Sheffield Estates	Auburn Hills, MI	C	778	7,165	—		2,018		778	9,183	9,961	3,458	2006	(A)
Shell Creek RV Resort & Marina	Punta Gorda, FL	E	2,200	9,662	—		534		2,200	10,196	12,396	175	2016	(A)
Sherkston Shores Beach Resort & Campground	Sherkston, ON ⁽¹⁾	—	22,750	97,164	(1,247	)	(6,232	)	21,503	90,932	112,435	1,658	2016	(A)
Siesta Bay RV Park	Ft. Myers, FL	A	2,051	18,549	—		4,444		2,051	22,993	25,044	13,717	1996	(A)
Silver Birches RV Resort & Campground	Lambton Shores, ON⁽¹⁾	—	880	1,540	(48	)	62		832	1,602	2,434	28	2016	(A)
Silver Springs	Clinton Township, MI	B	861	16,595	—		4,108		861	20,703	21,564	3,768	2012	(A)
Sky Harbor	Cheektowaga, NY	A	2,318	24,253	—		2,693		2,318	26,946	29,264	2,214	2014	(A)
Skyline	Fort Collins, CO	E	2,260	12,120	—		644		2,260	12,764	15,024	1,107	2014	(A)
Southern Charm RV Resort	Zephyrhills, FL	E	4,940	17,366	—		899		4,940	18,265	23,205	321	2016	(A)
Southern Hills/Northridge Place	Stewartville, MN	E	360	12,723	—		6,531		360	19,254	19,614	1,494	2014	(A&C)
Southern Pines	Bradenton, FL	—	1,710	3,337	—		464		1,710	3,801	5,511	67	2016	(A)
Southfork	Belton, MO	A	1,000	9,011	—		7,078		1,000	16,089	17,089	7,710	1997	(A)
Southport Springs	Zephyrhills, FL	B	15,060	17,229	—		1,165		15,060	18,394	33,454	969	2015	(A)
Southwood Village	Grand Rapids, MI	—	300	11,517	—		1,849		300	13,366	13,666	2,660	2011	(A)
Spanish Main MH & RV Resort	Thonotasassa, FL	—	2,390	8,159	—		756		2,390	8,915	11,305	157	2016	(A)
Stonebridge	San Antonio, TX ⁽³⁾	C	2,515	2,096	(615	)	7,323		1,900	9,419	11,319	4,711	2000	(A&C)
Stonebridge	Richfield Twp., MI	—	2,044	—	243		2,105		2,287	2,105	4,392	—	1998	(C)
Stonebrook	Homosassa, FL	B	650	14,063	—		431		650	14,494	15,144	738	2015	(A)
Summit Ridge	Converse, TX ⁽³⁾	C	2,615	2,092	(883	)	22,626		1,732	24,718	26,450	7,032	2000	(A&C)



			Initial Cost to Company		Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition (Improvements)				Gross Amount Carried at December 31, 2016
Property Name	Location	Encumbrance	Land	Depreciable Assets	Land		Depreciable Assets		Land	Depreciable Assets	Total	Accumulated Depreciation	Date	Acquired (A) or Constructed (C)
Sun-N-Fun RV Resort	Sarasota, FL	D	50,530	117,952	—		389		50,530	118,341	168,871	2,311	2016	(A)
Sun Valley	Apache Junction, AZ	—	2,750	18,408	—		777		2,750	19,185	21,935	1,625	2014	(A)
Sun Villa Estates	Reno, NV ⁽³⁾	B	2,385	11,773	(1,103	)	1,368		1,282	13,141	14,423	7,627	1998	(A)
Suncoast Gateway	Port Richey, FL	—	4,850	5,707	—		441		4,850	6,148	10,998	107	2016	(A)
Sundance	Zephyrhills, FL	B	890	25,306	—		658		890	25,964	26,854	1,334	2015	(A)
Sunlake Estates	Grand Island, FL	D	6,290	24,084	—		753		6,290	24,837	31,127	1,290	2015	(A)
Sunset Beach RV Resort	Cape Charles, VA	—	3,800	24,030	—		453		3,800	24,483	28,283	423	2016	(A)
Sunset Harbor at Cow Key Marina	Key West, FL	—	8,570	7,636	—		438		8,570	8,074	16,644	133	2016	(A)
Sunset Ridge	Portland, MI ⁽³⁾	C	2,044	—	(9	)	17,180		2,035	17,180	19,215	7,677	1998	(C)
Sunset Ridge	Kyle, TX	C	2,190	2,775	—		6,479		2,190	9,254	11,444	4,598	2000	(A&C)
Swan Meadow Village	Dillon, CO	E	2,140	19,734	—		269		2,140	20,003	22,143	1,998	2014	(A)
Sweetwater RV Resort	Zephyrhills, FL	E	1,340	9,113	—		790		1,340	9,903	11,243	174	2016	(A)
Sycamore Village	Mason, MI	—	390	13,341	—		3,425		390	16,766	17,156	3,646	2011	(A)
Tallowwood Isle	Coconut Creek, FL	—	13,370	20,256	—		406		13,370	20,662	34,032	354	2016	(A)
Tamarac Village	Ludington, MI	—	300	12,028	85		3,184		385	15,212	15,597	2,761	2011	(A)
Tampa East	Dover, FL	A	734	6,310	—		4,475		734	10,785	11,519	3,916	2005	(A)
Three Lakes	Hudson, FL	C	5,050	3,361	—		2,166		5,050	5,527	10,577	1,104	2012	(A)
Thunderhill Estates	Sturgeon Bay, WI	E	640	9,008	—		1,332		640	10,340	10,980	897	2014	(A)
Timber Ridge	Ft. Collins, CO	B	990	9,231	—		3,159		990	12,390	13,380	7,406	1996	(A)
Timberline Estates	Coopersville, MI	B	535	4,867	1		5,655		536	10,522	11,058	5,876	1994	(A)
Town & Country Mobile Village	Traverse City, MI	A	406	3,736	—		1,618		406	5,354	5,760	3,240	1996	(A)
Town & Country Village	Lisbon, ME	E	230	4,539	—		2,204		230	6,743	6,973	575	2014	(A)
Trailside RV Resort & Campground	Seguin, ON ⁽¹⁾	—	3,690	3,650	(202	)	(30	)	3,488	3,620	7,108	63	2016	(A)
Travelers World RV Resort	San Antonio, TX	—	790	7,952	—		903		790	8,855	9,645	157	2016	(A)
Treetops RV Resort	Arlington, TX	—	730	9,831	—		723		730	10,554	11,284	191	2016	(A)
Vallecito	Newbury Park, CA	D	25,340	9,273	—		420		25,340	9,693	35,033	165	2016	(A)
The Valley	Apopka, FL	—	2,530	5,660	—		499		2,530	6,159	8,689	104	2016	(A)
Verde Plaza	Tucson, AZ	—	710	7,069	—		493		710	7,562	8,272	129	2016	(A)
Victor Villa	Victorville, CA	D	2,510	20,408	—		703		2,510	21,111	23,621	357	2016	(A)
Vines RV Resort	Paso Robles, CA	C	890	7,110	—		1,386		890	8,496	9,386	1,040	2013	(A)
Vista del Lago	Scotts Valley, CA	D	17,830	9,456	—		555		17,830	10,011	27,841	109	2016	(A)



			Initial Cost to Company		Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition (Improvements)				Gross Amount Carried at December 31, 2016
Property Name	Location	Encumbrance	Land	Depreciable Assets	Land		Depreciable Assets		Land	Depreciable Assets	Total	Accumulated Depreciation	Date	Acquired (A) or Constructed (C)
Vista del Lago MH & RV Resort	Bradenton, FL	E	3,630	5,329	—		529		3,630	5,858	9,488	105	2016	(A)
The Villas at Calla Pointe	Cheektowaga, NY	A	380	11,014	—		145		380	11,159	11,539	949	2014	(A)
Vizcaya Lakes	Port Charlotte, FL	C	670	4,221	—		149		670	4,370	5,040	219	2015	(A)
Wagon Wheel RV Resort & Campground	Old Orchard Beach, ME	C	590	7,703	—		2,980		590	10,683	11,273	1,717	2013	(A)
Walden Woods	Homosassa, FL	D/B	1,550	26,375	—		437		1,550	26,812	28,362	1,379	2015	(A)
Warren Dunes Village	Bridgman, MI	C	310	3,350	—		4,381		310	7,731	8,041	1,157	2011	(A&C)
Water Oak Country Club Estates	Lady Lake, FL	D	2,834	16,706	100		22,276		2,934	38,982	41,916	19,434	1993	(A&C)
Waters Edge RV Resort	Zephyhills, FL	E	1,180	5,450	—		734		1,180	6,184	7,364	106	2016	(A)
Waverly Shores Village	Holland, MI	B	340	7,267	450		508		790	7,775	8,565	1,435	2011	(A)
West Village Estates	Romulus, MI	B	884	19,765	—		4,438		884	24,203	25,087	3,935	2012	(A)
Westbrook Senior Village	Toledo, OH	B	355	3,295	—		675		355	3,970	4,325	1,857	2001	(A)
Westbrook Village	Toledo, OH	B	1,110	10,462	—		4,833		1,110	15,295	16,405	7,805	1999	(A)
Westside Ridge	Auburndale, FL	D	760	10,714	—		600		760	11,314	12,074	585	2015	(A)
Westward Ho RV Resort & Campground	Glenbeulah, WI	C	1,050	5,642	—		2,486		1,050	8,128	9,178	1,192	2013	(A)
White Lake Mobile Home Village	White Lake, MI	B	672	6,179	1		10,361		673	16,540	17,213	8,739	1997	(A&C)
Wild Acres RV Resort & Campground	Old Orchard Beach, ME	C	1,640	26,786	—		4,017		1,640	30,803	32,443	5,047	2013	(A)
Wildwood Community	Sandwich, IL	A	1,890	37,732	—		867		1,890	38,599	40,489	3,312	2014	(A)
Willow Lake RV Resort & Campground	Scotland, ON ⁽¹⁾	—	1,260	2,275	(69	)	(23	)	1,191	2,252	3,443	38	2016	(A)
Willowbrook Place	Toledo, OH	B	781	7,054	1		4,226		782	11,280	12,062	5,813	1997	(A)
Willowood RV Resort & Campground	Amherstberg, ON ⁽¹⁾	—	1,160	1,490	(64	)	78		1,096	1,568	2,664	28	2016	(A)
Windham Hills Estates	Jackson, MI	—	2,673	2,364	—		18,284		2,673	20,648	23,321	9,452	1998	(A&C)
Windmill Village	Davenport, FL	B	7,560	36,294	—		405		7,560	36,699	44,259	1,903	2015	(A)
Windsor Woods Village	Wayland, MI	C	270	5,835	—		3,612		270	9,447	9,717	2,224	2011	(A)
Wine Country RV Resort	Paso Robles, CA	C	1,740	11,510	—		3,266		1,740	14,776	16,516	1,350	2014	(A&C)
Woodhaven Place	Woodhaven, MI	B	501	4,541	—		5,455		501	9,996	10,497	4,514	1998	(A)
Woodlake Trails	San Antonio, TX ⁽³⁾	C	1,186	287	(56	)	10,749		1,130	11,036	12,166	3,819	2000	(A&C)
Woodland Lake Trails RV Resort and Campground	Bornholm, ON ⁽¹⁾	—	1,650	2,165	(90	)	(71	)	1,560	2,094	3,654	36	2016	(A)



			Initial Cost to Company				Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition (Improvements)				Gross Amount Carried at December 31, 2016
Property Name	Location	Encumbrance	Land		Depreciable Assets		Land		Depreciable Assets		Land		Depreciable Assets		Total		Accumulated Depreciation		Date	Acquired (A) or Constructed (C)
Woodland Park Estates	Eugene, OR	—	1,592		14,398		1		1,033		1,593		15,431		17,024		9,242		1998	(A)
Woodlands at Church Lake	Groveland, FL	B	2,480		9,072		—		693		2,480		9,765		12,245		516		2015	(A)
Woodside Terrace	Holland, OH	B	1,063		9,625		—		7,532		1,063		17,157		18,220		8,765		1997	(A)
			$	1,049,363	$	4,198,231	$	2,173	$	1,246,572	$	1,051,536	$	5,444,803	$	6,496,339	$	1,026,858

A These communities collateralize $491.0 million of secured debt.

B These communities collateralize $1.0 billion of secured debt.

C These communities support the borrowing base for our secured line of credit, which had $97.5 million outstanding.

D These communities collateralize $888.2 million of secured debt.

E These communities collateralize $394.5 million of secured debt.

⁽¹⁾ Gross amount carried at December 31, 2016, at our Canadian properties, reflects the impact of foreign currency translation.

⁽²⁾ All or part of this property is subject to ground lease.

⁽³⁾ Gross amount carried at December 31, 2016 for Land has decreased at this property due to a partial sale.

The change in investment property for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 is as follows:



	Years Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Beginning balance	$	4,573,522		$	3,363,917		$	2,489,119
Community and land acquisitions, including immediate improvements	1,822,564			1,214,482			798,827
Community expansion and development	47,958			28,660			22,195
Improvements, other	113,803			195,439			173,989
Asset impairment	—			—			(1,870		)
Dispositions and other	(61,508		)	(228,976		)	(118,343		)
Ending balance	$	6,496,339		$	4,573,522		$	3,363,917

The change in accumulated depreciation for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 is as follows:



	Years Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Beginning balance	$	852,407		$	795,753		$	734,067
Depreciation for the period	201,157			159,706			121,103
Asset impairment	—			—			(1,033		)
Dispositions and other	(26,706		)	(103,052		)	(58,384		)
Ending balance	$	1,026,858		$	852,407		$	795,753

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Principles of Consolidation The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include our accounts and all majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries, including entities in which we have a controlling interest or have been determined to be the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity ("VIE"). All inter-company transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Any subsidiaries in which we have an ownership percentage equal to or greater than 50%, but less than 100%, or considered a VIE, represent subsidiaries with a noncontrolling interest. The noncontrolling interests in our subsidiaries are allocated their proportionate share of the subsidiaries’ financial results. This allocation is recorded as the noncontrolling interest in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions related to the reported amounts included in our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying footnotes thereto. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Investment property, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Investment Property Investment property is recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation. We review the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used for impairment quarterly or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate a possible impairment. Our primary indicator for potential impairment is based on NOI trends period over period. Circumstances that may prompt a test of recoverability may include a significant decrease in the anticipated market price, an adverse change to the extent or manner in which an asset may be used or in its physical condition or other such events that may significantly change the value of the long-lived asset. An impairment loss is recognized when a long-lived asset’s carrying value is not recoverable and exceeds estimated fair value. We estimate the fair value of our long-lived assets based on discounted future cash flows and any potential disposition proceeds for a given asset. Forecasting cash flows requires management to make estimates and assumptions about such variables as the estimated holding period, rental rates, occupancy, development, and operating expenses during the holding period, as well as disposition proceeds. Management uses its best judgment when developing these estimates and assumptions, but the development of the projected future cash flows is based on subjective variables. Future events could occur which would cause us to conclude that impairment indicators exist, and significant adverse changes in national, regional, or local market conditions or trends may cause us to change the estimates and assumptions used in our impairment analysis. The results of an impairment analysis could be material to our financial statements. We periodically receive offers from interested parties to purchase certain of our properties. These offers may be the result of an active program initiated by us to sell the property, or from an unsolicited offer to purchase the property. The typical sale process involves a significant negotiation and due diligence period between us and the potential purchaser. As the intent of this process is to determine if there are items that would cause the purchaser to be unwilling to purchase or we would be unwilling to sell, it is not unusual for such potential offers of sale/purchase to be withdrawn as such issues arise. We classify assets as “held for sale” when it is probable, in our opinion, that a sale transaction will be completed within one year. This typically occurs when all significant contingencies surrounding the closing have been resolved, which often corresponds with the closing date. We allocate the purchase price of properties to net tangible and identified intangible assets acquired based on their fair values. In making estimates of fair values for purposes of allocating purchase price, we utilize an independent third-party to value the net tangible and identified intangible assets in connection with the acquisition of the respective property. We provide historical and pro forma financial information obtained about each property, as well as any other information needed in order for the third-party to ascertain the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets (including in-place leases) acquired.
Other Capitalized Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Capitalized Costs We capitalize certain costs incurred in connection with the development, redevelopment, capital enhancement and leasing of our properties. Management is required to use professional judgment in determining whether such costs meet the criteria for immediate expense or capitalization. The amounts are dependent on the volume and timing of such activities and the costs associated with such activities. Maintenance, repairs and minor improvements to properties are expensed when incurred. Renovations and improvements to properties are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives and construction costs related to the development of new community or expansion sites are capitalized until the property is substantially complete. Costs incurred to initially renovate pre-owned and repossessed homes that we acquire for our Rental Program are capitalized and costs incurred to refurbish the homes at turnover and repair the homes while occupied are expensed. Certain expenditures to dealers and residents related to obtaining lessees in our communities are capitalized and amortized over a seven-year period based on the anticipated term of occupancy of a resident. Costs associated with implementing our computer systems are capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful lives of the related software and hardware. Costs incurred to obtain new financing are capitalized and amortized over the terms of the related loan agreement using the straight-line method (which approximates the effective interest method).
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents. The maximum amount of credit risk arising from cash deposits in excess of federally insured amounts was approximately $10.1 million and $41.4 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Inventory, Policy [Text Block]	Inventory Inventory of manufactured homes is stated at lower of specific cost or market based on the specific identification method.
Investments in Affiliates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Investments in Affiliates Investments in affiliates in which we do not have a controlling direct or indirect voting interest, but can exercise significant influence over the entity with respect to its operations and major decisions, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The carrying value of our investment is adjusted for our proportionate share of the affiliate’s net income or loss and reduced by distributions received. We review the carrying value of our investment in affiliates for other than temporary impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate a possible impairment. Financial condition, operational performance, and other economic trends are some of the factors we consider when we evaluate the existence of impairment indicators. When we have a carrying value of zero for our investment, we suspend the equity method of accounting until such time that the affiliate’s net income equals or exceeds the share of net losses not recognized during the time in which the equity method of accounting was suspended. See Note 6, "Investment in Affiliates," for additional information.
Notes and Other Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Notes and Other Receivables We provide financing to purchasers of manufactured homes generally located in our communities. The notes are collateralized by the underlying manufactured home sold. Notes receivable include both installment loans purchased by the Company as well as transferred loans that have not met the requirements for sale accounting which are presented herein as collateralized receivables. For purposes of accounting policy, all notes receivable are considered one homogenous segment, as the notes are typically underwritten using the same requirements and terms. Notes receivable are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balance adjusted for an allowance for loan loss. Interest income is accrued based upon the unpaid principal balance of the loans. Past due status of our notes receivable is determined based upon the contractual terms of the note. When a note receivable becomes 60 days delinquent, we stop accruing interest on the note receivable. The interest on nonaccrual loans is accounted for on the cash basis until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. Loans on a nonaccrual status were immaterial at December 31, 2016 and 2015. The ability to collect our notes receivable is measured based on current and historical information and events. We consider numerous factors including: length of delinquency, estimated costs to lease or sell, and repossession history. Our experience supports a high recovery rate for notes receivable; however, there is some degree of uncertainty about the recoverability of our investment in these notes receivable. We are generally able to recover our recorded investment in uncollectible notes receivable by repossessing the homes on the notes retained by us and repurchasing the homes on the collateralized receivables, and subsequently selling or leasing these homes to potential residents in our communities. We have established a loan loss reserve based on our estimated unrecoverable costs associated with repossessed/repurchased homes. We estimate our unrecoverable costs to be the repurchase price of the home collateralizing the note receivable plus repair and remarketing costs in excess of the estimated selling price of the home being repossessed. A historical average of this excess cost is calculated based on prior repossessions/repurchases and is applied to our estimated annual future repossessions to create the allowance for both installment and collateralized notes receivable. We evaluate the collectability of a loan based on our ability to collect the scheduled payments of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. We generally see that if the obligor is delinquent on the loan they are also delinquent on site rent. If the scheduled payment is delinquent more than five to seven days, dependent on state law, we begin the repossession and eviction process simultaneously. A specific allowance is estimated on the past due loans based on historical delinquency data and current delinquency levels. We evaluate the credit quality of our notes receivable at the inception of the receivable. We consider the following factors in order to determine the credit quality of the applicant - rental payment history; home debt to income ratio; loan value to the collateralized asset; total debt to income ratio; length of employment; previous landlord references; and FICO scores. Other receivables are generally comprised of amounts due from residents for rent and related charges, home sale proceeds receivable from sales near year end and various other miscellaneous receivables. Accounts receivable from residents are typically due within 30 days and stated at amounts due from residents net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due. We evaluate the recoverability of our receivables whenever events occur or there are changes in circumstances such that management believes it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan and lease agreements. Receivables related to community rents are reserved when we believe that collection is less than probable, which is generally after a resident balance reaches 60 to 90 days past due.
Restricted Cash, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Restricted Cash Restricted cash consists of amounts held in deposit for tax, insurance and repair escrows held by lenders in accordance with certain debt agreements. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, $17.1 million and $140.7 million of restricted cash, respectively, was included as a component of Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Identified Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Identified Intangible Assets The Company amortizes identified intangible assets that are determined to have finite lives over the period the assets are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the future cash flows of the property or business. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the carrying amounts of the identified intangible assets are included in Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 5, "Intangible Assets," for additional information.
Deferred Tax Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Deferred Taxes We are subject to certain state taxes that are considered to be income taxes and have certain subsidiaries that are taxed as regular corporations for U.S. (i.e., federal, state, local, etc.) and non-U.S. income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets or liabilities are recognized for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial statements and net operating loss carryforwards in certain subsidiaries, including those domiciled in foreign jurisdictions, which may be realized in future periods if the respective subsidiary generates sufficient taxable income. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using currently enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is established if, based on the available evidence, it is considered more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. See Note 12, "Income Taxes," for additional information.
Deferred Financing Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Deferred Financing Costs Deferred financing costs include fees and costs incurred to obtain long-term financing. The costs are amortized over the terms of the respective loans. Unamortized deferred financing costs are written off when debt is retired before the maturity date. Upon amendment of the line of credit or refinancing of mortgage debt, unamortized deferred financing costs are accounted for in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 470-50-40, "Modifications and Extinguishments." Refer to Note 17, "Recent Accounting Pronouncements," regarding our adoption of FASB Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-03, and the presentation of deferred financing costs in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.
Share-Based Compensation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Share-Based Compensation Share-based compensation cost for service vesting restricted stock awards is measured based on the closing share price of our common stock on the date of grant. Share-based compensation for restricted stock awards with performance conditions is measured based on an estimate of shares expected to vest. If it is not probable that the performance conditions will be satisfied, we do not recognize compensation expense. We measure the fair value of awards with performance conditions using the closing price of our common stock as of the grant date to calculate compensation cost. We estimate the fair value of share-based compensation for restricted stock with market conditions using a Monte Carlo simulation. We recognize compensation cost ratably over each tranche of shares based on the fair value estimated by the model. Share-based compensation cost for stock options is estimated at the grant date based on each option’s fair-value as calculated by the Binomial (lattice) option-pricing model. The Binomial (lattice) option-pricing model incorporates various assumptions including expected volatility, expected life, dividend yield, and interest rates. See Note 10, "Share-Based Compensation" for additional information.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fair Value of Financial Instruments Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable, derivative instruments, debt and a contingent consideration liability. We utilize fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures, pursuant to FASB ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures". See Note 16, "Fair Value of Financial Instruments," for additional information regarding the estimates and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of each financial instrument class.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Revenue Recognition Rental income attributable to site and home leases is recorded on a straight-line basis when earned from tenants. Leases entered into by tenants are generally for one year terms, but may range from month-to-month to two years and are renewable by mutual agreement from us and the resident, or in some cases, as provided by state statute. Revenue from the sale of manufactured homes is recognized upon transfer of title at the closing of the sales transaction. Interest income on notes receivable is recorded on a level yield basis over the life of the notes. We report real estate taxes collected from residents and remitted to taxing authorities in revenue.
Advertising Cost, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Advertising Costs Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. As of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we had advertising costs of $4.2 million, $3.9 million and $3.2 million, respectively.
Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization [Policy Text Block]	Depreciation and Amortization Depreciation and amortization are computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Useful lives are 30 years for land improvements and buildings, 10 years for rental homes, seven to 15 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment, four to seven years for computer hardware and software, and seven to 15 years for intangible assets.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities We do not enter into derivative instruments for speculative purposes. We adjust our balance sheet on a quarterly basis to reflect the current fair market value of our derivatives. For those hedges that qualify for cash flow hedge accounting, we adjust our balance sheet on a quarterly basis to reflect current fair market value of our derivatives. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded in earnings or comprehensive income, as appropriate. The ineffective portion of the hedge is immediately recognized in earnings to the extent that the change in value of a derivative does not perfectly offset the change in value of the instrument being hedged. The effective portion of the hedge is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. We use standard market conventions to determine the fair values of derivative instruments, including the quoted market prices or quotes from brokers or dealers for the same or similar instruments. All methods of assessing fair value result in a general approximation of value and such value may never actually be realized. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the fair value of our derivatives was zero. See Note 15, "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" for additional information.

Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]

llocated the "Investment in property" balances for Carefree Communities to the respective balance sheet line items upon preliminary completion of a purchase price allocation in accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 805 - Business Combinations.



At Acquisition Date	Carefree
Investment in property	$	1,670,981
Ground leases	33,270
In-Place leases	35,010
Deferred tax liability	(23,637		)
Other liabilities	(15,665		)
Inventory of manufactured homes	13,521
Below market leases	(29,340		)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed⁽¹⁾	1,684,140

Consideration
Cash and equity	$	1,684,140

⁽¹⁾ The purchase price allocation for Carefree is preliminary and will be adjusted as final costs and values are determined.

Schedule Of Disposed Properties [Table Text Block]

The table below shows our dispositions during the year ended December 31, 2015:



Community	State	Number of Sites
Silver Star	FL	406
Holiday Village	IN	326
Maplewood Mobile	IN	207
Meadows	IN	330
Valley Brook	IN	798
West Glen Village	IN	552
Woods Edge	IN	598
Edwardsville	KS	634
Candlewick Court	MI	211
College Park Estates	MI	230
Sherman Oaks	MI	366
Village Trails	MI	100
Creekside	NC	45
Colonial Village	NY	153
Valley View Estates	NY	197
Catalina	OH	462
Worthington Arms	OH	224
Casa de Valle	TX	381
Kenwood	TX	280
Snow to Sun	TX	475

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]



	Year Ended December 31, 2016
	(unaudited)
Revenue	$	97,836
Net income	$	9,070

Acquisitions - 2016 [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]



At Acquisition Date	Lake Josephine⁽¹⁾		Adirondack Gateway⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾		Jellystone Larkspur⁽¹⁾		Petoskey⁽¹⁾		Sunset Beach⁽¹⁾⁽³⁾		Pecan Park⁽¹⁾		Hill Country⁽¹⁾		Kimberly Estates⁽¹⁾		Total
Investment in property	$	3,400	$	2,590	$	7,516	$	3,500	$	28,283	$	7,000	$	29,990	$	7,313	$	89,592
Inventory of manufactured homes	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		97		97
In-place leases and other intangible assets	—		170		—		—		—		—		10		340		520
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	$	3,400	$	2,760	$	7,516	$	3,500	$	28,283	$	7,000	$	30,000	$	7,750	$	90,209

Consideration
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability	$	3,400	$	2,250	$	7,516	$	3,500	$	28,283	$	7,000	$	30,000	$	7,750	$	89,699

⁽²⁾Includes the impact of a $0.5 million bargain purchase gain recorded within Other expense, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016.

⁽³⁾Sunset Beach consideration includes a contingent liability of $9.8 million as of the acquisition date. As of December 31, 2016, the contingent consideration liability was $10.0 million.

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]

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 acquisitions been consummated on January 1, 2015 (in thousands, except per-share data).



	Year Ended December 31,
	(unaudited)
	2016		2015
Total revenues	$	910,559	$	848,669
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	38,556	$	195,760
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic	$	0.59	$	3.65
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted	$	0.58	$	3.65

Schedule of Revenue and Net Income from acquistions [Table Text Block]



	Year Ended December 31, 2016
	(unaudited)
Revenue	$	8,540
Net income	$	1,847

Acquisitions - 2015 [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]



At Acquisition Date	Meadowlands			Berger			Lakeside Crossing			La Hacienda		Frontier Town		Fort Whaley		Rock Crusher		Total
Investment in property	$	8,313		$	268,026		$	35,438		$	25,895	$	62,126	$	5,704	$	5,962	$	411,464
Inventory of manufactured homes	285			—			—			—		—		—		—		285
In-place leases and other intangible assets	270			5,040			520			1,380		70		—		110		7,390
Below market leases	—			(7,840		)	(3,440		)	—		—		—		—		(11,280		)
Assumed debt	(6,318		)	(169,882		)	—			—		—		—		—		(176,200		)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	$	2,550		$	95,344		$	32,518		$	27,275	$	62,196	$	5,704	$	6,072	$	231,659

Consideration
Common OP units	$	—		$	19,650		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	19,650
Series C preferred OP units	—			33,154			—			—		—		—		—		33,154
Note payable	2,377			—			—			—		—		—		—		2,377
Cash consideration transferred	173			42,540			32,518			27,275		62,196		5,704		6,072		176,478
Total consideration transferred	$	2,550		$	95,344		$	32,518		$	27,275	$	62,196	$	5,704	$	6,072	$	231,659

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]



	Year Ended December 31,
	(unaudited)
	2015		2014
Total revenues	$	688,620	$	623,754
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	158,859	$	57,779
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic	$	2.96	$	1.40
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted	$	2.94	$	1.38

Acquisitions 2014 and Acquisitions 2015 [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Schedule of Revenue and Net Income from acquistions [Table Text Block]



	Year Ended December 31, 2015		Year Ended December 31, 2014
	(unaudited)		(unaudited)
Revenue	$	137,035	$	6,515
Net income	$	14,374	$	(6,744	)

Green Courte [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]

The following tables summarize the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition dates and the consideration paid (in thousands):



At Acquisition Date	First Phase			Second Phase			Total
Investment in property	$	656,543		$	818,109		$	1,474,652
Notes receivable	5,189			850			6,039
Other (liabilities) assets	(1,705		)	7,405			5,700
In-place leases and other intangible assets	12,870			15,460			28,330
Below market leases	(10,820		)	(54,580		)	(65,400		)
Assumed debt	(199,300		)	(201,466		)	(400,766		)
Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed	$	462,777		$	585,778		$	1,048,555

Consideration
Common OP units⁽¹⁾	$	24,064		$	—		$	24,064
Series A-4 preferred OP units⁽²⁾	18,852			1,000			19,852
Common stock	20,427			259,133			279,560
Series A-4 preferred stock ⁽²⁾	13,697			175,527			189,224
Consideration from new mortgages	100,700			90,794			191,494
Cash consideration transferred	285,037			59,324			344,361
Total consideration transferred	$	462,777		$	585,778		$	1,048,555

⁽¹⁾To estimate the fair value of the common OP units at the valuation date, we utilized the market approach, observing the public price of our common stock.

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Repurchase price percentage [Table Text Block]



Number of Payments	Repurchase %
Less than or equal to 15	100	%
Greater than 15 but less than 64	90	%
Equal to or greater than 64 but less than 120	65	%
120 or more	50	%

Schedule of collateralized loans [Table Text Block]

The change in the aggregate gross principal balance of the collateralized receivables is as follows (in thousands):



	Year Ended
	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Beginning balance	$	140,440		$	123,650
Financed sales of manufactured homes	23,771			43,083
Principal payments and payoffs from our customers	(11,937		)	(10,271		)
Notes sold with dispositions	—			(6,889		)
Principal reduction from repurchased homes	(7,797		)	(9,133		)
Total activity	4,037			16,790
Ending balance	$	144,477		$	140,440

Collateralized Receivables [Member]

Schedule of Credit Losses Related to Financing Receivables, Current and Noncurrent [Table Text Block]

The following table sets forth the allowance for the collateralized receivables (in thousands):



	Year Ended
	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Beginning balance	$	(672	)	$	(688	)
Lower of cost or market write-downs	617			447
Increase to reserve balance	(552		)	(431		)
Total activity	65			16
Ending balance	$	(607	)	$	(672	)

Notes And Other Receivables (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]

Schedule of notes and other receivables [Table Text Block]

The following table sets forth certain information regarding notes and other receivables (in thousands):



	Year Ended
	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net	$	59,320	$	20,418
Other receivables, net	21,859		27,554
Total notes and other receivables, net	$	81,179	$	47,972

Schedule of Installment Notes Receivable [Table Text Block]

The change in the aggregate gross principal balance of the installment notes receivable is as follows (in thousands):



	Year Ended
	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Beginning balance	$	20,610		$	26,024
Financed sales of manufactured homes	41,322			838
Acquired notes	3,521			850
Principal payments and payoffs from our customers	(4,363		)	(4,798		)
Notes sold with dispositions	—			(383		)
Principal reduction from repossessed homes	(1,566		)	(1,921		)
Total activity	38,914			(5,414		)
Ending balance	$	59,524		$	20,610

Installment Notes Receivable [Member]

Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]

Schedule of Credit Losses Related to Financing Receivables, Current and Noncurrent [Table Text Block]

The following table sets forth the allowance change for the installment notes receivable (in thousands):



	Year Ended
	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Beginning balance	$	(192	)	$	(140	)
Lower of cost or market write-downs	128			80
Increase to reserve balance	(141		)	(132		)
Total activity	(13		)	(52		)
Ending balance	$	(205	)	$	(192	)

Intangibles Schedule of Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]



		December 31, 2016					December 31, 2015
Intangible Asset	Useful Life	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Ground leases	8-57 years	$	33,270	$	(600	)	$	—	$	—
In-place leases	7 years	98,235		(31,796		)	62,981		(20,245		)
Franchise fees and other intangible assets	15 years	1,880		(1,155		)	1,864		(622		)
Total		$	133,385	$	(33,551	)	$	64,845	$	(20,867	)

Schedule of Intangible Assets Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]

Total amortization expenses related to our intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
Intangible Asset	2016		2015		2014
Ground leases	$	600	$	—	$	—
In-place leases	11,559		8,299		3,867
Franchise fees and other intangible assets	535		516		77
Total	$	12,694	$	8,815	$	3,944

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]

We anticipate amortization expense for our intangible assets to be as follows for the next five years (in thousands):



	Year
	2017		2018		2019		2020		2021
Estimated expense	$	15,203	$	14,325	$	13,409	$	11,681	$	11,289

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities Consolidated Variable Interest Entities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

DisclosureofVariableInterestEntities [Abstract]

Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block]

(in thousands):



	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
ASSETS
Investment property, net	$	88,987		$	92,009
Other assets	3,054			3,823
Total Assets	$	92,041		$	95,832

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Debt	$	62,111		$	64,082
Other liabilities	1,998			4,091
Noncontrolling interests	(2,982		)	(1,767		)
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	61,127		$	66,406

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the significant judgments and assumptions made in determining whether a variable interest (as defined) held by the entity requires the variable interest entity (VIE) (as defined) to be consolidated and (or) disclose information about its involvement with the VIE, individually or in aggregate (as applicable); the nature of restrictions, if any, on the consolidated VIE's assets and on the settlement of its liabilities reported by an entity in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets and liabilities; the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with involvement in the VIE; how involvement with the VIE affects the entity's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows; the lack of recourse if creditors (or beneficial interest holders) of the consolidated VIE have no recourse to the general credit of the primary beneficiary (if applicable); the terms of arrangements, giving consideration to both explicit arrangements and implicit variable interests, if any, that could require the entity to provide financial support to the VIE, including events or circumstances that could expose the entity to a loss; the methodology used by the entity for determining whether or not it is the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity; the significant factors considered and judgments made in determining that the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance are shared (as defined); the carrying amounts and classification of assets and liabilities of the VIE included in the statement of financial position; the entity's maximum exposure to loss, if any, as a result of its involvement with the VIE, including how the maximum exposure is determined and significant sources of the entity's exposure to the VIE; a comparison of the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities and the entity's maximum exposure to loss; information about any liquidity arrangements, guarantees, and (or) other commitments by third parties that may affect the fair value or risk of the entity's variable interest in the VIE; whether or not the entity has provided financial support or other support (explicitly or implicitly) to the VIE that it was not previously contractually required to provide or whether the entity intends to provide that support, including the type and amount of the support and the primary reasons for providing the support; and supplemental information the entity determines necessary to provide.

+ References + Details

Debt And Lines Of Credit (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

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):



	Principal Outstanding				Weighted Average Years to Maturity		Weighted Average Interest Rates
	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015		December 31, 2016	December 31, 2015	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
Collateralized term loans - CMBS	$	492,294	$	639,321	5.6	5.3	5.2	%	5.3	%
Collateralized term loans - FNMA	1,046,803		789,612		6.6	5.8	4.3	%	4.6	%
Collateralized term loans - Life Companies	888,705		500,133		12.2	14.4	3.9	%	4.1	%
Collateralized term loans - FMCC	391,765		196,201		7.9	9.0	3.9	%	4.0	%
Secured borrowing	144,477		140,440		15.7	15.6	10.0	%	10.2	%
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	45,903		45,903		5.4	6.1	6.9	%	6.9	%
Lines of credit	100,095		24,687		3.6	4.6	2.1	%	1.6	%
Total debt	$	3,110,042	$	2,336,297	8.5	8.4	4.5	%	5.0	%

Maturities and Amortization of debt and lines of credit [Table Text Block]

As of December 31, 2016, the total of maturities and amortization of our debt (excluding premiums and discounts) and lines of credit during the next five years are as follows (in thousands):



	Maturities and Amortization By Year
	Total Due		2017		2018		2019		2020		2021		Thereafter
Lines of credit	$	100,344	$	—	$	2,889	$	—	$	97,455	$	—	$	—
Mortgage loans payable:
Maturities	2,246,200		32,688		26,186		64,314		58,078		270,680		1,794,254
Principal amortization	554,358		51,878		53,318		54,035		54,575		53,436		287,116
Preferred OP units	45,903		11,240		—		—		—		—		34,663
Secured borrowing	144,477		5,645		6,186		6,727		7,341		7,888		110,690
Total	$	3,091,282	$	101,451	$	88,579	$	125,076	$	217,449	$	332,004	$	2,226,723

Equity Transactions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Sale of Common Stock [Table Text Block]

Sales of common stock under our At the Market sales program activity during 2016 and 2015 are as follows:



Quarter Ended	Common Stock Issued	Weighted Average Sales Price		Net Proceeds (in Millions)
December 31, 2016	19,498	$	75.90	$	1.5
September 30, 2016	620,828	$	76.81	$	47.1
June 30, 2016	485,000	$	71.86	$	34.4

September 30, 2015	608,100	$	68.00	$	40.8
June 30, 2015	26,200	$	65.15	$	1.7
March 31, 2015	342,011	$	63.94	$	21.5

Schedule of Conversions of Stock [Table Text Block]

Below is the activity of conversions during 2016 and 2015:



		Year Ended December 31, 2016		Year Ended December 31, 2015
Series	Conversion Rate	Units/Shares	Common Stock	Units/Shares	Common Stock
Common OP unit	1	104,106	104,106	99,851	99,851
Series A-1 preferred OP unit	2.439	20,691	50,458	41,116	100,277
Series A-4 preferred OP unit	0.4444	120,906	53,733	114,414	50,848
Series A-4 preferred stock	0.4444	385,242	171,218	231,093	102,708
Series C preferred OP unit	1.11	7,043	7,815	—	—

Share-Based Compensation Tables (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes our option activity during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:



	Number of Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price (per common share)
Options outstanding at January 1, 2014	46,250		$	30.77
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(12,250	)	33.4
Forfeited or expired	(1,500	)	35.44
Options outstanding at December 31, 2014	32,500		29.56
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(8,000	)	30.96
Forfeited or expired	—		—
Options outstanding at December 31, 2015	24,500		29.11
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(20,000	)	28.39
Forfeited or expired	—		—
Options outstanding at December 31, 2016	4,500		$	32.27

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes our restricted stock activity for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:



	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested restricted shares at January 1, 2014	631,956		$	41.14
Granted	117,250		$	49.97
Vested	(55,488	)	$	25.57
Forfeited	(4,975	)	$	38.45
Unvested restricted shares at December 31, 2014	688,743		$	43.87
Granted	216,800		$	64.32
Vested	(85,021	)	$	31.89
Forfeited	(7,262	)	$	45.94
Unvested restricted shares at December 31, 2015	813,260		$	50.59
Granted	227,800		$	69.43
Vested	(165,631	)	$	45.90
Forfeited	(33,795	)	$	56.49
Unvested restricted shares at December 31, 2016	841,634		$	56.38

Segment Reporting (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]

A presentation of segment financial information is summarized as follows (amounts in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31, 2016
	Real Property Operations			Home Sales and Home Rentals			Consolidated
Revenues	$	654,341		$	158,287		$	812,628
Operating expenses/Cost of sales	241,005			104,714			345,719
Net operating income/Gross profit	413,336			53,573			466,909
Adjustments to arrive at net income (loss):
Interest and other income, net	21,150			—			21,150
Home selling expense	—			(9,744		)	(9,744		)
General and administrative	(55,481		)	(8,606		)	(64,087		)
Transaction costs	(31,863		)	(51		)	(31,914		)
Depreciation and amortization	(166,296		)	(55,474		)	(221,770		)
Extinguishment of debt	(1,127		)	—			(1,127		)
Interest	(119,150		)	(13		)	(119,163		)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units	(3,152		)	—			(3,152		)
Other expenses, net	(5,822		)	(26		)	(5,848		)
Current tax expense	(471		)	(212		)	(683		)
Deferred tax benefit	400			—			400
Income from affiliate transactions	500			—			500
Net income (loss)	52,024			(20,553		)	31,471
Less: Preferred return to preferred OP units	5,006			—			5,006
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,478			(1,328		)	150
Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	45,540			(19,225		)	26,315
Less: Preferred stock distributions	8,946			—			8,946
Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	36,594		$	(19,225	)	$	17,369



	Year Ended December 31, 2015
	Real Property Operations			Home Sales and Home Rentals			Consolidated
Revenues	$	530,610		$	125,964		$	656,574
Operating expenses/Cost of sales	188,030			83,897			271,927
Net operating income/Gross profit	342,580			42,067			384,647
Adjustments to arrive at net income (loss):
Interest and other income, net	18,119			38			18,157
Home selling expenses	—			(7,476		)	(7,476		)
General and administrative	(40,235		)	(7,220		)	(47,455		)
Transaction costs	(17,802		)	(1		)	(17,803		)
Depreciation and amortization	(125,297		)	(52,340		)	(177,637		)
Extinguishment of debt	(2,800		)	—			(2,800		)
Interest	(107,647		)	(12		)	(107,659		)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units	(3,219		)	—			(3,219		)
Gain on disposition of properties, net	106,613			18,763			125,376
Current tax expense	(56		)	(102		)	(158		)
Deferred tax expense	—			(1,000		)	(1,000		)
Income from affiliate transactions	7,500			—			7,500
Net income (loss)	177,756			(7,283		)	170,473
Less: Preferred return to preferred OP units	4,973			—			4,973
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	10,622			(568		)	10,054
Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	162,161			(6,715		)	155,446
Less: Preferred stock distributions	13,793			—			13,793
Less: Preferred stock redemption costs	4,328			—			4,328
Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	144,040		$	(6,715	)	$	137,325



	Year Ended December 31, 2014
	Real Property Operations			Home Sales and Home Rentals			Consolidated
Revenues	$	375,594		$	93,167		$	468,761
Operating expenses/Cost of sales	137,899			63,826			201,725
Net operating income/Gross profit	237,695			29,341			267,036
Adjustments to arrive at net income (loss):
Interest and other income, net	15,498			—			15,498
Home selling expenses	—			(5,235		)	(5,235		)
General and administrative	(31,769		)	(5,618		)	(37,387		)
Transaction costs	(18,251		)	(8		)	(18,259		)
Depreciation and amortization	(88,695		)	(45,031		)	(133,726		)
Asset impairment charge	(837		)	—			(837		)
Interest	(73,752		)	(19		)	(73,771		)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units	(3,210		)	—			(3,210		)
Gain on disposition of properties	17,447			207			17,654
Gain on settlement	4,452			—			4,452
Current tax expense	(219		)	—			(219		)
Income from affiliate transactions	1,200			—			1,200
Net income (loss)	59,559			(26,363		)	33,196
Less: Preferred return to preferred OP units	2,935			—			2,935
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,698			(1,946		)	1,752
Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	52,926			(24,417		)	28,509
Less: Preferred stock distributions	6,133			—			6,133
Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	46,793		$	(24,417	)	$	22,376



	December 31, 2016						December 31, 2015
	Real Property Operations		Home Sales and Home Rentals		Consolidated		Real Property Operations		Home Sales and Home Rentals		Consolidated
Identifiable assets:
Investment property, net	$	5,019,165	$	450,316	$	5,469,481	$	3,303,287	$	417,828	$	3,721,115
Cash and cash equivalents	3,705		4,459		8,164		44,150		936		45,086
Inventory of manufactured homes	—		21,632		21,632		—		14,828		14,828
Notes and other receivables, net	68,901		12,278		81,179		34,258		13,714		47,972
Collateralized receivables, net	143,870		—		143,870		139,768		—		139,768
Other assets, net	143,650		2,800		146,450		209,957		3,073		213,030
Total assets	$	5,379,291	$	491,485	$	5,870,776	$	3,731,420	$	450,379	$	4,181,799

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Tax Characterization of Dividends [Table Text Block]

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, distributions paid per share were taxable as follows (unaudited/rounded):



	Years Ended December 31,
	2016				2015				2014
	Amount		Percentage		Amount		Percentage		Amount		Percentage
Ordinary income	$	0.81	31.2	%	$	1.08	41.7	%	$	0.82	31.7	%
Capital gain	0.51		19.6	%	0.78		30.1	%	0.64		24.6	%
Return of capital	1.28		49.2	%	0.74		28.2	%	1.14		43.7	%
Total distributions declared	$	2.60	100.0	%	$	2.60	100.0	%	$	2.60	100.0	%

Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]

The components of our provision for income taxes attributable to continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 are as follows (amounts in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31, 2016
Federal
Current	$	187
State and Local
Current	438
Foreign
Current	58
Deferred	(400		)
	(342		)

Total Provision	$	283

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]



	Year Ended December 31, 2016
Pre-tax income (loss) attributable to taxable subsidiaries	$	(11,157	)

Federal provision (benefit) at statutory tax rate (34%)	(3,794		)	34.0	%
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit	(183		)	1.6	%
Alternative minimum tax	93			(0.8	)%
Rate differential	104			(0.9	)%
Change in valuation allowance	4,021			(36.0	)%
Others	(225		)	2.0	%
Tax provision - taxable subsidiaries	16			(0.1	)%
Other state taxes - flow through subsidiaries	267
Total provision	$	283

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]



	As of December 31,
	2016			2015
Deferred Tax Assets
Net operating loss carryforwards	$	30,821		$	31,096
Real estate assets	33,167			27,315
Other	1,746			1,430
Gross deferred tax assets	65,734			59,841
Valuation allowance	(63,862		)	(59,841		)
Net deferred tax assets	1,872			—

Deferred Tax Liabilities
Basis differences - foreign investment	(23,816		)	—
Gross deferred tax liabilities	(23,816		)	—

Net Deferred Tax Liability ⁽¹⁾	$	(21,944	)	$	—

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]

Computations of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows (in thousands, except per share data):



	Year Ended December 31,
Numerator	2016			2015			2014
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	17,369		$	137,325		$	22,376
Allocation of income to restricted stock awards	115			(1,757		)	(127		)
Net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation	$	17,484		$	135,568		$	22,249
Allocation of income to restricted stock awards	(115		)	—			127
Amounts attributable to Series A-4 Preferred Stock	—			—			76
Diluted earnings: net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation	$	17,369		$	135,568		$	22,452
Denominator
Weighted average common shares outstanding	65,856			53,686			41,337
Add: dilutive stock options	8			16			16
Add: dilutive restricted stock	457			—			237
Add: dilutive Series A-4 Preferred Stock	—			—			215
Diluted weighted average common shares and securities	66,321			53,702			41,805
Earnings per share available to common stockholders after allocation:
Basic	$	0.27		$	2.53		$	0.54
Diluted	$	0.26		$	2.52		$	0.54

Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]

the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (amounts in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2016	2015	2014
Restricted Stock	—	813	—
Common OP units	2,759	2,863	2,561
Series A-1 preferred OP units	367	388	429
Series A-3 preferred OP units	40	40	40
Series A-4 preferred OP units	634	755	669
Series A-4 Preferred Stock	1,682	2,067	—
Series C preferred OP units	333	340	—
Aspen preferred OP units	1,284	1,284	1,284
Total securities	7,099	8,550	4,983

Quarterly Financial Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]



	Quarters
	1st		2nd			3rd		4th
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
2016
Total revenues	$	174,644	$	190,799		$	249,701	$	218,634
Total expenses	162,638		195,781			226,688		211,569
Income (loss) before other items	$	12,006	$	(4,982	)	$	23,013	$	7,065

Net income (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	7,875	$	(7,803	)	$	18,897	$	(1,600	)

Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic	$	0.14	$	(0.12	)	$	0.27	$	(0.02	)
Diluted	$	0.14	$	(0.12	)	$	0.27	$	(0.02	)


2015
Total revenues	$	155,200	$	165,938		$	185,355	$	168,238
Total expenses	151,646		154,862			163,771		165,697
Income before other items	$	3,554	$	11,076		$	21,584	$	2,541

Income from affiliate transactions⁽¹⁾	$	—	$	7,500		$	—	$	—
Gain (loss) on disposition of properties, net⁽²⁾	$	8,769	$	(13	)	$	18,190	$	98,430
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	6,869	$	12,294		$	28,763	$	89,399

Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.13	$	0.23		$	0.53	$	1.57
Diluted	$	0.13	$	0.23		$	0.53	$	1.56

⁽¹⁾Refer to Note 6, "Investment in Affiliates," for additional information.

⁽²⁾Refer to Note 2, "Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions," for additional information.

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]

The following table provides the terms of our interest rate derivative contracts that were in effect as of December 31, 2016:

Type

Purpose

Effective Date

Maturity Date

Notional

(in millions)

Based on

Variable Rate

Cap Rate

Spread

Effective Fixed Rate

Cap

Cap Floating Rate

4/1/2015

4/1/2018

150.1

3 Month LIBOR

2.7240%

9.0000%

—%

N/A

Cap

Cap Floating Rate

10/3/2016

5/1/2023

9.6

3 Month LIBOR

3.5240%

11.0200%

—%

N/A

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

December 31, 2016 and 2015, the fair value of the derivatives was zero.

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of pertinent information about a derivative or group of derivatives on a disaggregated basis, such as for individual instruments, or small groups of similar instruments. May include a combination of the type of instrument, risks being hedged, notional amount, hedge designation, related hedged item, inception date, maturity date, or other relevant item.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=d3e41641-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=SL5624163-113959

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=d3e41678-113959

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=d3e41638-113959

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=SL5580258-113959

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=SL5579245-113959

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4C
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 25
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=SL5579240-113959

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=d3e41620-113959

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(n)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping

The table presents the carrying values and fair values of our financial instruments as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 that were measured using the valuation techniques described above (in thousands). The table excludes other financial instruments such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable because the carrying values associated with these instruments approximate fair value since their maturities are less than one year.



	December 31, 2016				December 31, 2015
Financial assets	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net	$	59,320	$	59,320	$	20,418	$	20,418
Collateralized receivables, net	$	143,870	$	143,870	$	139,768	$	139,768
Financial liabilities
Debt (excluding secured borrowing)	$	2,865,470	$	2,820,680	$	2,171,170	$	2,070,100
Secured borrowing	$	144,477	$	144,477	$	140,440	$	140,440
Lines of credit	$	100,095	$	98,640	$	24,687	$	23,520
Other liabilities (contingent consideration)	$	10,011	$	10,011	$	—	$	—

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) properties sites states	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Nov. 26, 2014 properties
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Amortization Period Promotions	7 years
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	341
Number of States in which Entity Operates \| states	29
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites	117,376
Cash, Uninsured Amount	$ 10,100,000	$ 41,400,000
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	17,100,000	140,700,000
Advertising Expense	$ 4,200,000	3,900,000	$ 3,200,000
Number of sites suitable for development	10,616
Foreign currency exchange loss	$ 5,005,000	0	$ 0
Derivative Asset	0	0
Derivative Liability	$ 0	$ 0
Land improvements and buildings [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P30Y
Rental properties [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P10Y
Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years
Maximum [Member] \| Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P15Y
Maximum [Member] \| Computer Equipment [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P7Y
Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	7 years
Minimum [Member] \| Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P7Y
Minimum [Member] \| Computer Equipment [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P4Y
Origen Financial Services [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Investment carrying value	$ 0
Manufactured home community [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	226			59
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites	80,166
RV community [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	87
Transient RV site [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites	16,294
Manufactured Home And Rv Community [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	28
Annual Rv Sites [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites	20,916

Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions Real Estate Acquisitions, Carefree Narrative (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands			1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Jun. 09, 2016 USD ($) sites $ / shares shares	Mar. 30, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) shares	Nov. 30, 2015 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2016 properties sites states shares	Sep. 30, 2016 shares	Jun. 30, 2016 shares	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2015 shares	Jun. 30, 2015 shares	Mar. 31, 2015 shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) properties sites states	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 22, 2016 manufactured_home	Nov. 26, 2014 properties
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties					341							341
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites					117,376							117,376
Number of States in which Entity Operates \| states					29							29
New shares issued (in shares) \| shares		6,037,500	3,737,500	3,737,500	19,498,000	620,828,000	485,000,000	6,037,500	608,100,000	26,200,000	342,011,000
Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity												$ 750,385	$ 310,301	$ 572,171
Share Price \| $ / shares		$ 66.50						$ 66.50
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock		$ 385,400	$ 283,600	$ 233,100				$ 385,400
Carefree Communities
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Shares \| shares	3,329,880
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability	$ 1,684,140
Business Acquisition, Share Price \| $ / shares	$ 67.57
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	$ 225,000
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	1,455,000
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Pay Off of Debt	$ 1,000,000
Manufactured Home And Rv Community [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties					28							28
Manufactured Home And Rv Community [Member] \| Carefree Communities
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| manufactured_home															103
Number of Sites in Community \| sites	27,000
Manufactured home community [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties					226							226				59
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites					80,166							80,166

Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions Real Estate Acquisitions, Carefree Purchase Price Allocation (Details) - Carefree Communities - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 09, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property		$ 1,670,981
Ground leases		33,270
In-Place leases		35,010
Deferred tax liability		(23,637)
Other liabilities		(15,665)
Inventory of manufactured homes		13,521
Below market leases		(29,340)
Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed		$ 1,684,140
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability	$ 1,684,140

Real Estate Acquisitions, Carefree Pro Forma (Details) - Carefree Communities $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 97,836
Net income	$ 9,070

Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions Real Estate Acquisitions, 2016 Other Acquisitions Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2015 shares	Oct. 31, 2016 USD ($) sites	Sep. 30, 2015 shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) properties sites	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) properties sites	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) sites	Aug. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 sites	Mar. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Transaction costs				$ 31,914	$ 17,803	$ 18,259
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites				117,376
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties				341
Lake Josephine RV Resort [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites				178
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability				$ 3,400
Adirondack Gateway Campground RV Resort [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites		347
Business Combination, Bargain Purchase, Gain Recognized, Amount		$ 500		500
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability				2,250
Jellystone Park Camp Resort [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites		148
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability				7,516
Petoskey RV Resort [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites							78
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability				3,500
Rock Crusher [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property											391
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability					6,072
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability					$ 0
Frontier Town [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites					584
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability					$ 62,196
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability					$ 0
Number of Potential Sites in Community \| sites					200
Fort Whaley [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites					210
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability					$ 5,704
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability					$ 0
Number of Potential Sites in Community \| sites					90
La Hacienda [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites					241
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability					$ 27,275
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability					$ 0
Lakeside Crossing [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites					419
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability					$ 32,518
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability					$ 0
Number of Potential Sites in Community \| sites					300
Berger [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites					3,130
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability					$ 95,344
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability					$ 0
Number of Potential Sites in Community \| sites					380
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties					6
Meadowlands [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability					$ 2,550
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability					$ 2,377
Sunset Beach Resort [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability				28,283
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability				10,000			$ 9,800	$ 9,800
Pecan Park [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites									183
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability				7,000
Hill Country Cottage and RV Resort [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property										356
Kimberly Estates [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property										387
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability				$ 7,750
Common OP Units [Member] \| Berger [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares \| shares	371,808		371,808
Series C preferred OP units [Member] \| Berger [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares \| shares	340,206		340,206

Real Estate Acquisitions, 2016 Other Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016
Lake Josephine RV Resort [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property		$ 3,400
Inventory of manufactured homes		0
In-place leases and other intangible assets		0
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		3,400
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability		3,400
Adirondack Gateway Campground RV Resort [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property		2,590
Inventory of manufactured homes		0
In-place leases and other intangible assets		170
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		2,760
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability		2,250
Business Combination, Bargain Purchase, Gain Recognized, Amount	$ 500	500
Jellystone Park Camp Resort [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property		7,516
Inventory of manufactured homes		0
In-place leases and other intangible assets		0
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		7,516
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability		7,516
Petoskey RV Resort [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property		3,500
Inventory of manufactured homes		0
In-place leases and other intangible assets		0
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		3,500
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability		3,500
Sunset Beach Resort [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property		28,283
Inventory of manufactured homes		0
In-place leases and other intangible assets		0
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		28,283
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability		28,283
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability		10,000	$ 9,800	$ 9,800
Pecan Park [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property		7,000
Inventory of manufactured homes		0
In-place leases and other intangible assets		0
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		7,000
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability		7,000
Hill Country [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property		29,990
Inventory of manufactured homes		0
In-place leases and other intangible assets		10
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		30,000
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability		30,000
Kimberly Estates [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property		7,313
Inventory of manufactured homes		97
In-place leases and other intangible assets		340
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		7,750
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability		7,750
Acquisitions - 2016 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property		89,592
Inventory of manufactured homes		97
In-place leases and other intangible assets		520
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		90,209
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability		$ 89,699

Real Estate Acquisitions, 2016 Pro Forma (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Acquisitions - 2016 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 910,559	$ 848,669
Net income	$ 38,556	$ 195,760
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 0.59	$ 3.65
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. shareholders - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.58	$ 3.65
Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 8,540
Net income	$ 1,847

Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions Real Estate Acquisitions, American Land Lease (Details)
$ in Thousands

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2016

Jan. 06, 2015

USD ($)

Jan. 06, 2015

USD ($)

Nov. 26, 2014

USD ($)

properties

states

Sep. 30, 2016

Nov. 30, 2015

Jun. 30, 2015

Dec. 31, 2016

properties

sites

states

Sep. 30, 2016

Jun. 30, 2016

Mar. 31, 2016

Sep. 30, 2015

Jun. 30, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2016

USD ($)

properties

sites

states

Dec. 31, 2015

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Number of Real Estate Properties | properties

341

Number of Units in Real Estate Property | sites

117,376

Number of States in which Entity Operates | states

Common Stock Issued | shares

6,037,500

3,737,500

19,498,000

620,828,000

485,000,000

6,037,500

608,100,000

26,200,000

342,011,000

Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity

$ 750,385

$ 310,301

$ 572,171

Green Courte [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Investment in property

$ 1,474,652

Notes and other receivables

6,039

Business combinations, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Assets and Liabilities

5,700

In-place leases and other intangible assets

28,330

Business Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Below Market Leases

65,400

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

400,766

Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed

1,048,555

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Liabilities Incurred

191,494

Cash consideration transferred

344,361

Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability

1,048,555

1,300,000

Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity

$ 12,500

Green Courte [Member] | Common OP Units [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable

24,064

Green Courte [Member] | Series A-4 Preferred Op Units [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable

^[1]

19,852

Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares | shares

34,219

Common Stock Issued | shares

200,000

Green Courte [Member] | Common Stock [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable

279,560

Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares | shares

25,664

Common Stock Issued | shares

150,000

Green Courte [Member] | Series A-4 Preferred Stock [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable

189,224

Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares | shares

34,219

Green Courte - Second Closing [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Investment in property

818,109

Notes and other receivables

850

Business combinations, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Assets and Liabilities

7,405

In-place leases and other intangible assets

15,460

Business Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Below Market Leases

54,580

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

201,466

Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed

585,778

$ 585,778

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Liabilities Incurred

90,794

Cash consideration transferred

59,324

Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability

$ 585,778

Number of Units in Real Estate Property

10,000

Green Courte - Second Closing [Member] | Common OP Units [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable

$ 0

Green Courte - Second Closing [Member] | Series A-4 Preferred Op Units [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable

$ 1,000

Preferred Units, Issued | shares

200,000

Green Courte - Second Closing [Member] | Common Stock [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable

$ 259,133

Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares | shares

4,377,073

Common Stock Issued | shares

150,000

Green Courte - Second Closing [Member] | Series A-4 preferred OP units [Domain]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Preferred Units, Issued | shares

200,000

Green Courte - Second Closing [Member] | Series A-4 Preferred Stock [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable

$ 175,527

Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares | shares

5,847,234

Green Courte - First Closing [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Investment in property

$ 656,543

Notes and other receivables

5,189

Business combinations, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Assets and Liabilities

(1,705)

In-place leases and other intangible assets

12,870

Business Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Below Market Leases

10,820

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

199,300

Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed

462,777

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Liabilities Incurred

100,700

Cash consideration transferred

285,037

Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability

$ 462,777

Number of Units in Real Estate Property

9,000

Number of States in which Entity Operates | states

Green Courte - First Closing [Member] | Common OP Units [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable

$ 24,064

Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares | shares

501,130

Green Courte - First Closing [Member] | Series A-4 Preferred Op Units [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable

$ 18,852

Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares | shares

669,449

Green Courte - First Closing [Member] | Common Stock [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable

$ 20,427

Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares | shares

361,797

Green Courte - First Closing [Member] | Series A-4 Preferred Stock [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable

$ 13,697

Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares | shares

483,317

Manufactured home community [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Number of Real Estate Properties | properties

226

Number of Units in Real Estate Property | sites

80,166

Manufactured home community [Member] | Green Courte - Second Closing [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Number of Real Estate Properties

Manufactured home community [Member] | Green Courte - First Closing [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Number of Real Estate Properties | properties

Green Courte - Second Closing [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity

$ 12,500

[1]	To estimate the fair value of the Series A-4 preferred OP units and the Series A-4 preferred stock at the valuation date, we utilized the income approach. Under this approach, we used the Binomial Lattice Method.

Real Estate Acquisitions, 2015 Acquisitions Narrative (Details)		3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2015 shares	Sep. 30, 2015 shares	Dec. 31, 2016 properties sites	Dec. 31, 2015 properties sites	Aug. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property			117,376
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties			341
Rock Crusher [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property					391
Frontier Town [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property				584
Number of Potential Sites in Community				200
Fort Whaley [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property				210
Number of Potential Sites in Community				90
La Hacienda [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property				241
Lakeside Crossing [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property				419
Number of Potential Sites in Community				300
Berger [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property				3,130
Number of Potential Sites in Community				380
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties				6
Berger [Member] \| Common OP Units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares \| shares	371,808	371,808
Berger [Member] \| Series C preferred OP units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares \| shares	340,206	340,206

Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions Real Estate Acquisitions, 2015 Other Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Meadowlands [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property	$ 8,313
Inventory of manufactured homes	285
In-place leases and other intangible assets	270
Below market leases	0
Assumed debt	(6,318)
Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed	2,550
Cash consideration transferred	173
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	2,377
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability	2,550
Meadowlands [Member] \| Common OP Units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	0
Meadowlands [Member] \| Series C preferred OP units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	0
Berger [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property	268,026
Inventory of manufactured homes	0
In-place leases and other intangible assets	5,040
Below market leases	(7,840)
Assumed debt	(169,882)
Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed	95,344
Cash consideration transferred	42,540
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	0
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability	95,344
Berger [Member] \| Common OP Units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	19,650
Berger [Member] \| Series C preferred OP units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	33,154
Lakeside Crossing [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property	35,438
Inventory of manufactured homes	0
In-place leases and other intangible assets	520
Below market leases	(3,440)
Assumed debt	0
Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed	32,518
Cash consideration transferred	32,518
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	0
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability	32,518
Lakeside Crossing [Member] \| Common OP Units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	0
Lakeside Crossing [Member] \| Series C preferred OP units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	0
La Hacienda [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property	25,895
Inventory of manufactured homes	0
In-place leases and other intangible assets	1,380
Below market leases	0
Assumed debt	0
Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed	27,275
Cash consideration transferred	27,275
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	0
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability	27,275
La Hacienda [Member] \| Common OP Units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	0
La Hacienda [Member] \| Series C preferred OP units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	0
Frontier Town [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property	62,126
Inventory of manufactured homes	0
In-place leases and other intangible assets	70
Below market leases	0
Assumed debt	0
Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed	62,196
Cash consideration transferred	62,196
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	0
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability	62,196
Frontier Town [Member] \| Common OP Units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	0
Frontier Town [Member] \| Series C preferred OP units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	0
Fort Whaley [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property	5,704
Inventory of manufactured homes	0
In-place leases and other intangible assets	0
Below market leases	0
Assumed debt	0
Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed	5,704
Cash consideration transferred	5,704
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	0
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability	5,704
Fort Whaley [Member] \| Common OP Units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	0
Fort Whaley [Member] \| Series C preferred OP units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	0
Rock Crusher [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property	5,962
Inventory of manufactured homes	0
In-place leases and other intangible assets	110
Below market leases	0
Assumed debt	0
Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed	6,072
Cash consideration transferred	6,072
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	0
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability	6,072
Rock Crusher [Member] \| Common OP Units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	0
Rock Crusher [Member] \| Series C preferred OP units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	0
Acquisitions - 2015 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Investment in property	411,464
Inventory of manufactured homes	285
In-place leases and other intangible assets	7,390
Below market leases	(11,280)
Assumed debt	(176,200)
Total identifiable assets and liabilities assumed	231,659
Cash consideration transferred	176,478
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	2,377
Cash, proceeds from dispositions held in escrow, or contingent liability	231,659
Acquisitions - 2015 [Member] \| Common OP Units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	19,650
Acquisitions - 2015 [Member] \| Series C preferred OP units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	$ 33,154

Real Estate Acquisitions , 2015 Pro Forma Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Transaction costs	$ 31,914	$ 17,803	$ 18,259
Acquisitions - 2015 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue		688,620	623,754
Net income		$ 158,859	$ 57,779
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic		$ 2.96	$ 1.40
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. shareholders - diluted (in dollars per share)		$ 2.94	$ 1.38
Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue	8,540
Net income	$ 1,847
Acquisitions 2014 and Acquisitions 2015 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue		$ 137,035	$ 6,515
Net income		$ 14,374	$ (6,744)

Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions Real Estate Dispositions (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) sites	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) sites	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) sites	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property					117,376
Gain on disposition of properties, net \| $	$ 98,430	$ 18,190	$ (13)	$ 8,769	$ 0	$ 125,376	$ 17,654
Escrow Deposit \| $	$ 126,300					$ 126,300
Manufactured home community [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property					80,166
Number of Real Estate Properties Sold						17
Manufactured Home And Rv Community [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Real Estate Properties Sold						3
Silver Star [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	406,000					406,000
Holiday Village [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	326					326
Maplewood Mobile [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	207,000					207,000
Meadows [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	330					330
Valley Brook [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	798,000					798,000
West Glen Village [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	552					552
Woods Edge [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	598,000					598,000
Edwardsville [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	634					634
Candlewick Court [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	211,000					211,000
College Park Estates [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	230					230
Sherman Oaks [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	366,000					366,000
Village Trails [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	100					100
Creekside [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	45,000					45,000
Colonial Village [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	153					153
Valley View [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	197,000					197,000
Catalina [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	462,000					462,000
Worthington Arms [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	224,000					224,000
Casa Del Valle [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	381,000					381,000
Kenwood [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	280,000					280,000
Snow to Sun [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	475,000					475,000

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets, Repurchase price percentage (Details) - Collateralized Receivables [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Less than or equal to 15 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes Receivable, Repurchase Percentage	100.00%
Greater than 15 but less than 64 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes Receivable, Repurchase Percentage	90.00%
Equal to or greater than 64 but less than 120 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes Receivable, Repurchase Percentage	65.00%
120 or more [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes Receivable, Repurchase Percentage	50.00%

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets, Schedule of collateralized loans (Details) - Collateralized Receivables [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 140,440	$ 123,650
Financed sales of manufactured homes	23,771	43,083
Principal payments and payoffs from our customers	(11,937)	(10,271)
Principal Reduction Related To Disposed Communities	0	(6,889)
Principal reduction from repossessed homes	(7,797)	9,133
Total activity	4,037	16,790
Ending balance	$ 144,477	$ 140,440

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets, Allowance for Collateralized Receivables (Details) - Collateralized Receivables [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ (672)	$ (688)
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Write-offs	617	447
Provision for Loan and Lease Losses	(552)	(431)
Total activity	65	16
Ending balance	$ (607)	$ (672)

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets, Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes and other receivables, net	$ 81,179	$ 47,972
Secured debt	2,819,567	2,125,267
Secured Debt [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Secured debt	3,110,042	2,336,297
Collateralized Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	$ 607	$ 672	$ 688
Receivable with Imputed Interest, Effective Yield (Interest Rate)	10.00%	10.20%
Receivable With Imputed Interest, Term	15 years 8 months 12 days	15 years 7 months 6 days
Interest Income (Expense), Net	$ 14,000	$ 13,200	$ 11,800
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Secured debt	144,477	140,440
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Collateralized Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes and other receivables, net	$ 143,870	$ 139,768

Schedule of notes and other receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total notes and other receivables, net	$ 81,179	$ 47,972
Other receivables, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total notes and other receivables, net	21,859	27,554
Total notes and other receivables [Domain]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total notes and other receivables, net	81,179	47,972
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	$ 59,320	$ 20,418

Notes And Other Receivables Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes - narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes and other receivables, net	$ 81,179	$ 47,972
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	$ 200	$ 200
Receivable with Imputed Interest, Effective Yield (Interest Rate)	8.33%	8.60%
Receivable With Imputed Interest, Term	16 years	9 years 11 months 27 days
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member] \| Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes and other receivables, net	$ 59,320	$ 20,418

Schedule of installment notes receivable (Details) - Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, gross [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 20,610	$ 26,024
Financed sales of manufactured homes	41,322	838
Acquired notes	3,521	850
Principal payments and payoffs from our customers	(4,363)	(4,798)
Principal Reduction Related To Disposed Communities	0	(383)
Principal reduction from repossessed homes	(1,566)	(1,921)
Total activity	38,914	(5,414)
Ending balance	$ 59,524	$ 20,610

Allowance for collateralized and installment notes receivable (Details) - Collateralized receivables, net and Installment Notes Receivables on Manufactured Homes [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ (192)	$ (140)
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Write-offs	128	80
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Adjustments, Other	(141)	(132)
Total activity	(13)	(52)
Ending balance	$ (205)	$ (192)

Other receivables, Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Premiums and Other Receivables, Net	$ 2.0	$ 5.3
Other receivables for rent, water, sewer usage	6.0	4.7
Allowance for rent, water, sewer usage receivables	(1.5)	(0.9)
Home sale proceeds	11.6	10.5
Insurance receivables	$ 2.3	1.2
Insurance Settlements Receivable		3.7
Miscellaneous note receivable		$ 2.2

Intangibles Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 133,385	$ 64,845
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(33,551)	(20,867)
Ground Lease [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	33,270	0
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (600)	0
Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	7 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 98,235	62,981
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (31,796)	(20,245)
Franchise Rights [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 1,880	1,864
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (1,155)	$ (622)
Minimum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	7 years
Minimum [Member] \| Ground Lease [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	8 years
Maximum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years
Maximum [Member] \| Ground Lease [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	57 years

Intangibles Schedule of Intangible Asset Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 12,694	$ 8,815	$ 3,944
Ground Lease [Member]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	600	0	0
Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	11,559	8,299	3,867
Franchise Rights [Member]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 535	$ 516	$ 77

Intangibles Future Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months	$ 15,203
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	14,325
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	13,409
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	11,681
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	$ 11,289

Intangibles Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) sites community	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 133,385	$ 64,845
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites	117,376
Ground Lease [Member]
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 33,270	0
Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member]
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	98,235	62,981
Franchise Rights [Member]
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,880	$ 1,864
Carefree Communities \| Ground Lease [Member]
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 33,300
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| community	5

Investment In Affiliates , Narrative (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 22, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Income from affiliate transactions			$ 500,000	$ 7,500,000	$ 1,200,000
Origen Financial Services [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage			22.90%
Investment carrying value			$ 0
Origen Financial [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage			19.30%
Investment carrying value			$ 0
Investment owned (in shares)			5,000,000
Equity Method Investment, Net Sales Proceeds	$ 500,000
Equity Method Investee [Member] \| Origen Financial [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Income from affiliate transactions		$ 7,500,000

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities Consolidated Variable Interest Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment property, net	$ 5,469,481	$ 3,721,115
Other assets	146,450	213,030
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	92,041	95,832
Secured debt	2,819,567	2,125,267
Other liabilities	279,667	184,859
Consolidated variable interest entities	(2,982)	(1,767)
Variable Interest Entities, Consolidated, Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity	$ 61,127	$ 66,406
VIE Percent of Consolidated Assets	1.60%	2.30%
VIE Percent of Consolidated Liabilities	1.90%	2.70%
VIE Percent of Total Equity	1.00%	1.00%
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment property, net	$ 88,987	$ 92,009
Other assets	3,054	3,823
Secured debt	62,111	64,082
Other liabilities	$ 1,998	$ 4,091

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Table - Schedule of debt and lines of credit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 2,819,567	$ 2,125,267
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	8 years 6 months	8 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted average interest rate	4.50%	5.00%
Lines of credit	$ 100,095	$ 24,687
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt		2,800,000
Collateralized term loans - CMBS [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 492,294	$ 639,321
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	5 years 7 months 6 days	5 years 3 months 18 days
Weighted average interest rate	5.20%	5.30%
Aspen and Series B-3 Preferred OP Units [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 45,903	$ 45,903
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	5 years 4 months 24 days	6 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted average interest rate	6.90%	6.90%
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Lines of credit	$ 100,300
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	3,110,042	$ 2,336,297
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 144,477	$ 140,440
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	15 years 8 months 12 days	15 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted average interest rate	10.00%	10.20%
Federal National Mortgage Association Certificates and Obligations (FNMA) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 1,046,803	$ 789,612
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	6 years 7 months 6 days	5 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted average interest rate	4.30%	4.60%
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Certificates and Obligations (FHLMC) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 391,765	$ 196,201
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	7 years 10 months 24 days
Weighted average interest rate	3.90%	4.00%
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Certificates and Obligations (FHLMC) [Member] \| Collateralized term loans - CMBS [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt weighted average to maturity, years		9 years
Life Companies [Member] \| Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 888,705	$ 500,133
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	12 years 2 months 12 days	14 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted average interest rate	3.90%	4.10%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Lines of credit	$ 100,095	$ 24,687
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	3 years 7 months 6 days	4 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted average interest rate	2.10%	1.60%

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Collateralized Term Loans (Details)				1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		7 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2015 USD ($) Rate	Mar. 19, 2015 USD ($) Rate	Jan. 06, 2015 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) subsidiary promissory_note manufactured_home	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) loans subsidiary RV_community manufactured_home	May 31, 2015 USD ($) Rate	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) sites community Rate	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) manufactured_home	Aug. 13, 2015 USD ($) Rate	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) sites Rate	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) properties sites Rate	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reduction in secured borrowing balance								$ 79,100,000			$ 19,734,000	$ 26,293,000	$ 21,812,000
Number of Real Estate Units Released \| community								10
Repayments of Debt					$ 62,100,000
Repayments of Lines of Credit					$ 300,000,000						$ 505,409,000	$ 401,978,000	702,135,000
Weighted average interest rate \| Rate								4.50%			4.50%	5.00%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length											8 years 6 months	8 years 4 months 24 days
Debt assumed in acquisition													44,321,000
Extinguishment of debt								$ 1,100,000			$ 1,127,000	$ 2,800,000	$ 0
Secured debt								$ 2,819,567,000			$ 2,819,567,000	2,125,267,000
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites								117,376			117,376
Long-term Line of Credit								$ 100,095,000			$ 100,095,000	24,687,000
Notes Payable to Banks [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				$ 58,500,000.0
Debt Instrument, Term				7 years
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage				3.33%
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt								$ 3,110,042,000			$ 3,110,042,000	$ 2,336,297,000
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt									$ 85,600,000
Weighted average interest rate \| Rate								5.20%			5.20%	5.30%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length											5 years 7 months 6 days	5 years 3 months 18 days
Stated interest rate \| Rate								5.32%			5.32%
Secured debt								$ 492,294,000			$ 492,294,000	$ 639,321,000
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount										$ 87,000,000
Debt weighted average to maturity, length										25 years
Stated interest rate \| Rate										4.06%
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt							$ 70,600,000
Stated interest rate \| Rate							5.32%
Number of properties securing a debt instument (in properties)							10
Extinguishment of debt							$ (2,800,000)
Secured debt												2,800,000,000
Pledged Assets, Not Separately Reported, Real Estate												$ 3,400,000,000
Manufactured home community [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites								80,166			80,166
Properties securing debt [Member] \| Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of properties securing a debt instument (in properties) \| properties												189
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites												75,118
First Debt Closing [Member] \| Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount										$ 51,200,000
Second Debt Closing [Member] \| Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount										$ 35,800,000
Federal National Mortgage Association Certificates and Obligations (FNMA) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate \| Rate								4.30%			4.30%	4.60%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length											6 years 7 months 6 days	5 years 9 months 18 days
Secured debt								$ 1,046,803,000			$ 1,046,803,000	$ 789,612,000
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Certificates and Obligations (FHLMC) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate \| Rate								3.90%			3.90%	4.00%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length											7 years 10 months 24 days
Secured debt								$ 391,765,000			$ 391,765,000	$ 196,201,000
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Certificates and Obligations (FHLMC) [Member] \| Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt weighted average to maturity, length												9 years
Berger [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| sites												3,130
Berger [Member] \| Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate \| Rate	5.17%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length	6 years 3 months 18 days
Debt assumed in acquisition	$ 169,900,000
Meadowlands [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Note receivable related to acquistion								$ 2,400,000			$ 2,400,000
Meadowlands [Member] \| Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt assumed in acquisition		$ 6,300,000
Meadowlands [Member] \| Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate \| Rate		6.50%
Debt Instrument, Term		6 years 6 months
Green Courte - Second Closing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property			10,000
Green Courte - Second Closing [Member] \| Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 90,800,000
Weighted average interest rate			5.74%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length			6 years 3 months 18 days
Stated interest rate			3.87%
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt			$ 112,300,000
Debt assumed in acquisition			$ 201,400,000
Number of properties securing a debt instument (in properties)			10
Debt Instrument, Term			14 years 1 month 6 days
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Amortization Term						30 years
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage						3.69%
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Freddie Mac Financing [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Subsidiaries \| subsidiary					15
Debt Instrument, Number of Loans \| promissory_note					15
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 139,000,000.0				139,000,000.0
Debt Instrument, Amortization Term					30 years
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Freddie Mac Financing - Loan 1 [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Number of Loans \| promissory_note					5
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 70,200,000.0				$ 70,200,000.0
Debt Instrument, Term					10 years
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage					3.93%				3.93%
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Freddie Mac Financing - Loan 2 [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Number of Loans \| promissory_note					10
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 68,800,000.0				$ 68,800,000.0
Debt Instrument, Term					7 years
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage					3.75%				3.75%
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Fannie Mae Financing [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Subsidiaries \| subsidiary						17
Debt Instrument, Number of Loans \| loans						2
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 338,000,000.0
Debt Instrument, Term						10 years
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Fannie Mae Financing [Member] \| Manufactured home community [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| manufactured_home					17				17
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Fannie Mae Financing - Term Loan One [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 300,000,000.0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage						3.69%
Operating Partnership [Member] \| Fannie Mae Financing - Term Loan Two [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 38,000,000.0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage						3.67%
Operating Partnership [Member] \| NML Loan Documents [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Subsidiaries \| subsidiary						3
Debt Instrument, Number of Loans \| loans						3
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 405,000,000.0
Operating Partnership [Member] \| NML Loan Documents - Portfolio A Loan [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Subsidiaries \| subsidiary						2
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 162,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term						10 years
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage						3.53%
Operating Partnership [Member] \| NML Loan Documents - Portfolio A Loan [Member] \| Manufactured home community [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| manufactured_home						7
Operating Partnership [Member] \| NML Loan Documents - Portfolio A Loan [Member] \| RV community [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| RV_community						1
Operating Partnership [Member] \| NML Loan Documents - Portfolio B Loan [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Subsidiaries \| subsidiary						1
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 163,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term						12 years
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage						3.71%
Operating Partnership [Member] \| NML Loan Documents - Portfolio B Loan [Member] \| Manufactured home community [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| manufactured_home						8
Operating Partnership [Member] \| NML Loan Documents - Portfolio C Loan [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 80,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term						12 years
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage						3.71%
Operating Partnership [Member] \| NML Loan Documents - Portfolio C Loan [Member] \| RV community [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| manufactured_home						1

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Aspen Preferred OP Units and Series B-3 preferred OP units (Details) - Convertible debt - Aspen Preferred OP Units January 2024 [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Aspen Preferred OP Units [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 34.7
Conversion Price (in dollars per share)	$ 27.00	$ 68.00
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted		0.397
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period	6.50%
Series B-3 Preferred OP Units [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 11.2
Conversion Price (in dollars per share)		$ 100.00

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Line of Credit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Lines of credit		$ 100,095	$ 24,687
Weighted average interest rate		4.50%	5.00%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length		8 years 6 months	8 years 4 months 24 days
Line of credit - manufactured home floor plan facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity			$ 12,000
Lines of credit		$ 2,800	$ 0
Weighted average interest rate			7.00%
Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	$ 450,000
Line of credit, borrowing capacity	750,000
Line of credit facility, additional borrowing capacity	$ 300,000
Lines of credit		100,300
Letters of credit outstanding, amount		$ 4,600	$ 3,400
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Aug. 19, 2019
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage		2.14%
Prime Rate [Member] \| Line of credit - manufactured home floor plan facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Effective interest rate, maximum		6.00%
Basis points		10000.00%
Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity	$ 58,000
Term Loan [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Lines of credit		$ 58,000
Term Loan [Member] \| Eurodollar [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Effective interest rate, minimum	1.35%
Effective interest rate, maximum	2.20%
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate		1.40%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity	$ 392,000
Lines of credit		$ 100,095	$ 24,687
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 42,300
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate		2.10%	1.60%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length		3 years 7 months 6 days	4 years 7 months 6 days
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Eurodollar [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Effective interest rate, minimum	1.40%
Effective interest rate, maximum	2.25%
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate		1.45%
Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Lines of credit			$ 25,000

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Table - Maturities and Amortization of debt and lines of credit (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Due	$ 3,091,282
2015	101,451
2016	88,579
2017	125,076
2018	217,449
2019	332,004
Thereafter	2,226,723
Lines of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Due	100,344
2015	0
2016	2,889
2017	0
2018	97,455
2019	0
Thereafter	0
Mortgage maturities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Due	2,246,200
2015	32,688
2016	26,186
2017	64,314
2018	58,078
2019	270,680
Thereafter	1,794,254
Mortgage principal amortization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Due	554,358
2015	51,878
2016	53,318
2017	54,035
2018	54,575
2019	53,436
Thereafter	287,116
Aspen and Series B-3 Preferred OP Units [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Due	45,903
2015	11,240
2016	0
2017	0
2018	0
2019	0
Thereafter	34,663
Secured borrowing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Due	144,477
2015	5,645
2016	6,186
2017	6,727
2018	7,341
2019	7,888
Thereafter	$ 110,690

Equity Transactions Narrative (Details)								1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
Equity Transactions Narrative (Details)	Jan. 20, 2017 USD ($)	Jan. 17, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 09, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Mar. 30, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Apr. 01, 2015 $ / shares Rate shares	Jan. 06, 2015 USD ($) shares	Jan. 06, 2015 $ / shares Rate shares	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) shares	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) shares	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) shares	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Aug. 10, 2015 $ / shares	Jul. 20, 2015 shares	Nov. 30, 2004 shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares Authorized												180,000,000							180,000,000	180,000,000			90,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized												20,000,000							20,000,000				10,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding												3,400,000							3,400,000	3,400,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues \| $												$ 1,500	$ 47,100	$ 34,400		$ 40,800	$ 1,700	$ 21,500
New shares issued (in shares)				6,037,500				3,737,500		3,737,500		19,498,000	620,828,000	485,000,000	6,037,500	608,100,000	26,200,000	342,011,000
Share Price \| $ / shares				$ 66.50											$ 66.50
Aggregate Value of Shares to be Issued in Accordance to Sales Agreement \| $									$ 250,000,000		$ 225,000,000
Commission, Maximum Percentage of Gross Sales Price Per Share According to Sales Agreement											2.00%
Shares Issued, Price Per Share \| $ / shares								$ 75.89		$ 65.00			$ 75.89
Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity \| $																			$ 750,385,000	$ 310,301,000	$ 572,171,000
Temporary Equity, Redemption Price Per Share \| $ / shares												$ 25.00							$ 25.00
Proceeds from issuance of common stock \| $				$ 385,400,000				$ 283,600,000		$ 233,100,000					$ 385,400,000
Dividends per common share: \| $ / shares																			$ 2.60	$ 2.60	$ 2.60
Distributions \| $																			$ 179,400,000
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends per common share: \| $ / shares													0.65
Common Stock [Member] \| Dividend Paid [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock \| $	$ 49,400,000
Series A Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash \| $																			$ 6,000,000
Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Dividends Per Share, Declared \| $ / shares													$ 0.45
Preferred Stock [Member] \| Dividend Paid [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Preferred Stock and Preference Stock \| $		$ 1,500,000
Series A-4 preferred OP units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share Repurchase Price \| $ / shares												$ 31.08							$ 31.08
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares																			4,066,586
Series A-4 preferred stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share Repurchase Obligation													5,926,322
Share Repurchase Price \| $ / shares																						$ 31.08
Share Repurchase Price Stated Value \| $ / shares																						30.90
Share Repurchase Price Accrued And Unpaid Distributions \| $ / shares																						$ 0.18
Temporary Equity, Liquidation Preference \| $												$ 25.00							$ 25.00
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Ratio																			0.4444
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares													4,066,586						4,066,586
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding																				6,364,770
Preferred Stock Not Subject To Repurchase												438,448							438,448
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Preferred Stock and Preference Stock \| $																			$ 700,000
Preferred Stock, Dividends Per Share, Declared \| $ / shares													$ 0.41
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash \| $																			2,900,000
Series C preferred OP units [Domain]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Equity, Preferred OP unit, conversion price \| $ / shares					$ 1.11
Series A-4 preferred stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Equity, preferred return rate \| Rate							6.50%
Repurchase of Equity [Member] \| Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Authorized to be repurchased (in shares)																								1,000,000
Repurchase Agreements [Member] \| Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Remaining number of shares authorized to be repurchased (in shares)																				400,000
Carefree Communities
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned \| $			$ 225,000,000
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares			3,329,880
Business Acquisition, Share Price \| $ / shares			$ 67.57
Berger [Member] \| Common OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Weighted average sale price (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares					$ 61.00
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned \| $																				$ 19,650,000
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares					371,808											371,808
Berger [Member] \| Series C preferred OP units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Weighted average sale price (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares					$ 100.00
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned \| $																				$ 33,154,000
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares					340,206											340,206
Green Courte [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity \| $																			$ 12,500,000
Green Courte [Member] \| Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
New shares issued (in shares)																			150,000
Weighted average sale price (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares											$ 50.00
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned \| $												$ 1,283,200							$ 1,283,200
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares											25,664								25,664
Green Courte [Member] \| Series A-4 preferred OP units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
New shares issued (in shares)																			200,000
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares																			34,219
Green Courte [Member] \| Series A-4 preferred stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Weighted average sale price (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares											$ 25.00
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned \| $												$ 855,475							$ 855,475
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares											34,219
Green Courte - Second Closing [Member] \| Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
New shares issued (in shares)						150,000
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares						4,377,073	4,377,073
Green Courte - Second Closing [Member] \| Series A-4 preferred OP units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Units, Issued						200,000	200,000
Green Courte - Second Closing [Member] \| Series A-4 preferred stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares						5,847,234	5,847,234
Green Courte - Second Closing [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity \| $						$ 12,500,000
Series A-4 preferred OP units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)																			120,906,000	114,414,000
Series A-4 preferred OP units [Member] \| Common OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)																			53,733,000	50,848,000
Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued																			444.4
Series A-4 preferred stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)																			385,242,000	231,093,000
Series A-4 preferred stock [Member] \| Common OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)																			171,218,000	102,708,000
Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued																			444.4
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)																			20,691,000	41,116,000
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units [Member] \| Common OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)																			50,458,000	100,277,000
Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued																			2,439
Green Courte [Member] \| Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Weighted average sale price (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares							$ 50.00
Equity Weighted Average Sale Price Fair Value \| $ / shares							58.85
Green Courte [Member] \| Series A-4 preferred stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Weighted average sale price (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares							25.00
Equity Weighted Average Sale Price Fair Value \| $ / shares							$ 30.00
Conversion of Common OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)																			104,106		99,851
Conversion of Common OP Units [Member] \| Common OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)																			104,106
Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued																			1,000
2015-2017 [Member] \| Series C preferred OP units [Domain]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Equity, preferred return rate \| Rate					4.00%
2018-2020 [Member] \| Series C preferred OP units [Domain]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Equity, preferred return rate \| Rate					4.50%
After 5 years [Member] \| Series C preferred OP units [Domain]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Equity, preferred return rate \| Rate					5.00%

Equity Transactions, Sale of Common Stock (Details) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Nov. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock Issued	6,037,500	3,737,500	3,737,500	19,498,000	620,828,000	485,000,000	6,037,500	608,100,000	26,200,000	342,011,000
Weighted Average Sales Price		$ 76,810		$ 75,900	$ 76,810	$ 71,860		$ 68,000	$ 65,150	$ 63,940	$ 75,900
Net Proceeds (in Millions)				$ 1,500	$ 47,100	$ 34,400		$ 40,800	$ 1,700	$ 21,500
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)											20,691,000	41,116,000
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units [Member] \| Common OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued											2,439
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)											50,458,000	100,277,000
Conversion of Common OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)											104,106		99,851
Conversion of Common OP Units [Member] \| Common OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued											1,000
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)											104,106
Series A-4 Preferred Op Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)											120,906,000	114,414,000
Series A-4 Preferred Op Units [Member] \| Common OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued											444.4
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)											53,733,000	50,848,000
Series A-4 Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)											385,242,000	231,093,000
Series A-4 Preferred Stock [Member] \| Common OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued											444.4
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)											171,218,000	102,708,000
Series C preferred OP units [Domain]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)											7,043,000	0
Series C preferred OP units [Domain] \| Common OP Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued											1,110
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)											7,815,000	0

Share-Based Compensation , Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Apr. 30, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jul. 20, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised						$ 149	$ 95	$ 127
Two Thousand Fifteen Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Available for Grant									1,542,500
Number of Shares Authorized									1,750,000
Director Plans [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Available for Grant							43,474
Number of Shares Authorized							175,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted shares						227,800	216,800	117,250
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$ 63.81				$ 69.43	$ 64.32	$ 49.97
Share-based Compensation Expense						$ 9,600	$ 7,100	$ 4,900
Restricted Stock [Member] \| Two Thousand Fifteen Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted shares					130,000	81,000	6,000
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value					$ 69.25	$ 69.70	$ 66.10
Restricted Stock [Member] \| 2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted shares		145,000					45,000
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value							$ 65.00
Stock Compensation Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercises in Period						(20,000)	(8,000)	(12,250)
2004 non-employee plan [Member] \| Stock Compensation Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised						$ 100
Exercises in Period						(14,199)
Director [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| Director Plans [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted shares	16,800		19,800
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 69.45		$ 65.87
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Six [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| 2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted shares		72,500			65,000
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| Two Thousand Fifteen Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award Vesting Rights, Percentage				35.00%	30.00%	35.00%
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| 2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award Vesting Rights, Percentage		30.00%					35.00%
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| Two Thousand Fifteen Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award Vesting Rights, Percentage				20.00%	35.00%	20.00%
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| 2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award Vesting Rights, Percentage		35.00%					20.00%
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Four [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| Two Thousand Fifteen Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award Vesting Rights, Percentage				5.00%	10.00%	5.00%
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Four [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| 2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award Vesting Rights, Percentage		10.00%					5.00%
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Five [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| Two Thousand Fifteen Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award Vesting Rights, Percentage				5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Five [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| 2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award Vesting Rights, Percentage		5.00%					5.00%
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| Two Thousand Fifteen Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award Vesting Rights, Percentage				35.00%	20.00%	35.00%
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| 2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award Vesting Rights, Percentage		20.00%					35.00%

Share-Based Compensation Restricted Stock Activity (Details) - Restricted Stock [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Apr. 30, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Unvested						$ 56.38	$ 50.59		$ 43.87	$ 41.14
Unvested restricted shares						841,634	813,260		688,743	631,956
Granted shares						227,800	216,800	117,250
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$ 63.81				$ 69.43	$ 64.32	$ 49.97
Vested in Period						(165,631)	(85,021)	(55,488)
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested						$ 45.90	$ 31.89	$ 25.57
Forfeited in Period						(33,795)	(7,262)	(4,975)
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Forfeitures						$ 56.49	$ 45.94	$ 38.45
Share-based Compensation Expense						$ 9.6	$ 7.1	$ 4.9
Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized						32.0
Vested in Period, Total Fair Value						7.6	$ 2.7	$ 1.4
Within 12 Months [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized						9.7
More than One and within Two Years [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized						8.2
More than Two and Within Three Years [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized						5.8
More than three years [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized						$ 8.3
Two Thousand Fifteen Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Granted shares					130,000	81,000	6,000
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value					$ 69.25	$ 69.70	$ 66.10
2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Granted shares		145,000					45,000
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value							$ 65.00
Director [Member] \| Director Plans [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Granted shares	16,800		19,800
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 69.45		$ 65.87
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member] \| Two Thousand Fifteen Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Award Vesting Rights, Percentage				35.00%	20.00%	35.00%
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member] \| 2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Award Vesting Rights, Percentage		20.00%					35.00%
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member] \| Two Thousand Fifteen Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Award Vesting Rights, Percentage				35.00%	30.00%	35.00%
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member] \| 2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Award Vesting Rights, Percentage		30.00%					35.00%
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three [Member] \| Two Thousand Fifteen Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Award Vesting Rights, Percentage				20.00%	35.00%	20.00%
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three [Member] \| 2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Award Vesting Rights, Percentage		35.00%					20.00%
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Four [Member] \| Two Thousand Fifteen Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Award Vesting Rights, Percentage				5.00%	10.00%	5.00%
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Four [Member] \| 2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Award Vesting Rights, Percentage		10.00%					5.00%
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Five [Member] \| Two Thousand Fifteen Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Award Vesting Rights, Percentage				5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Five [Member] \| 2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Award Vesting Rights, Percentage		5.00%					5.00%
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Six [Member] \| 2009 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Granted shares		72,500			65,000

Share-Based Compensation Stock Option Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value	$ 1,000	$ 300	$ 300
Stock Compensation Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding options	4,500	24,500		32,500	46,250
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options	$ 32.27	$ 29.11		$ 29.56	$ 30.77
Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures	0	0	0
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Grants	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Exercises in Period	20,000	8,000	12,250
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercises	$ 28.39	$ 30.96	$ 33.40
Forfeitures and Expirations in Period, Options	0	0	1,500
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Forfeitures	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 35.44
Exercisable Options	4,500
Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 32.27
Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	2 years 10 months 24 days
Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value	$ 200	$ 1,000		$ 1,000
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding options	0
2004 non-employee plan [Member] \| Stock Compensation Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding options	4,500
Award Vesting Period	3 years
Option maximum contractual term	10 years
Exercises in Period	14,199

Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Current Fiscal Year End Date									--12-31
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Revenues									$ 812,628	$ 656,574	$ 468,761
Operating expenses/Cost of sales									345,719	271,927	201,725
Net operating income/Gross profit									466,909	384,647	267,036
Adjustments to arrive at net income (loss):
Other revenues									21,150	18,157	15,498
Selling Expense									(9,744)	(7,476)	(5,235)
General and Administrative Expense									(64,087)	(47,455)	(37,387)
Transaction costs									(31,914)	(17,803)	(18,259)
Depreciation and amortization									(221,770)	(177,637)	(133,726)
Asset impairment charge									0	0	(837)
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	$ (1,100)								(1,127)	(2,800)	0
Interest expense									(119,163)	(107,659)	(73,771)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable debt									(3,152)	(3,219)	(3,210)
Gain on disposition of properties, net					$ 98,430	$ 18,190	$ (13)	$ 8,769	0	125,376	17,654
Gain on settlement									0	0	4,452
Other expenses, net									(5,848)	0	0
Income from affiliate transactions									500	7,500	1,200
Current tax expense									(683)	(158)	(219)
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments									400	(1,000)
Net income									31,471	170,473	33,196
Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units									5,006	4,973	2,935
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests									150	10,054	1,752
Less: Preferred stock distributions									8,946	13,793	6,133
Less: Preferred stock redemption costs									0	4,328	0
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	(1,600)	$ 18,897	$ (7,803)	$ 7,875	89,399	$ 28,763	$ 12,294	$ 6,869	26,315	155,446	28,509
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders									17,369	137,325	22,376
Identifiable assets:
Investment property, net	5,469,481				3,721,115				5,469,481	3,721,115
Cash and cash equivalents	8,164				45,086				8,164	45,086	83,459	$ 4,753
Inventory of manufactured homes	21,632				14,828				21,632	14,828
Notes and other receivables, net	81,179				47,972				81,179	47,972
Collateralized receivables, net	143,870				139,768				143,870	139,768
Other assets	146,450				213,030				146,450	213,030
TOTAL ASSETS	5,870,776				4,181,799				5,870,776	4,181,799
Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Transient RV Revenue	$ 58,200								58,200
Transient RV Rental Revenue Recognized, Percentage	18.60%
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Revenues									654,341	530,610	375,594
Operating expenses/Cost of sales									241,005	188,030	137,899
Net operating income/Gross profit									413,336	342,580	237,695
Adjustments to arrive at net income (loss):
Other revenues									21,150	18,119	15,498
Selling Expense									0	0	0
General and Administrative Expense									(55,481)	(40,235)	(31,769)
Transaction costs									(31,863)	(17,802)	(18,251)
Depreciation and amortization									(166,296)	(125,297)	(88,695)
Asset impairment charge											(837)
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt									(1,127)	(2,800)
Interest expense									(119,150)	(107,647)	(73,752)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable debt									(3,152)	(3,219)	(3,210)
Gain on disposition of properties, net										106,613	17,447
Gain on settlement											4,452
Other expenses, net									(5,822)
Income from affiliate transactions									500	7,500	1,200
Current tax expense									(471)	(56)	(219)
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments									400	0
Net income									52,024	177,756	59,559
Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units									5,006	4,973	2,935
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,478	10,622	3,698
Less: Preferred stock distributions									8,946	13,793	6,133
Less: Preferred stock redemption costs										4,328
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.									45,540	162,161	52,926
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders									36,594	144,040	46,793
Identifiable assets:
Investment property, net	$ 5,019,165				3,303,287				5,019,165	3,303,287
Cash and cash equivalents	3,705				44,150				3,705	44,150
Inventory of manufactured homes	0				0				0	0
Notes and other receivables, net	68,901				34,258				68,901	34,258
Collateralized receivables, net	143,870				139,768				143,870	139,768
Other assets	143,650				209,957				143,650	209,957
TOTAL ASSETS	5,379,291				3,731,420				5,379,291	3,731,420
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Revenues									158,287	125,964	93,167
Operating expenses/Cost of sales									104,714	83,897	63,826
Net operating income/Gross profit									53,573	42,067	29,341
Adjustments to arrive at net income (loss):
Other revenues									0	38	0
Selling Expense									(9,744)	(7,476)	(5,235)
General and Administrative Expense									(8,606)	(7,220)	(5,618)
Transaction costs									(51)	(1)	(8)
Depreciation and amortization									(55,474)	(52,340)	(45,031)
Asset impairment charge											0
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt									0	0
Interest expense									(13)	(12)	(19)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable debt									0	0	0
Gain on disposition of properties, net										18,763	207
Gain on settlement											0
Other expenses, net									(26)
Income from affiliate transactions									0	0	0
Current tax expense									(212)	(102)	0
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments									0	(1,000)
Net income									(20,553)	(7,283)	(26,363)
Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units									0	0	0
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests									(1,328)	(568)	(1,946)
Less: Preferred stock distributions									0	0	0
Less: Preferred stock redemption costs										0
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.									(19,225)	(6,715)	(24,417)
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders									(19,225)	(6,715)	$ (24,417)
Identifiable assets:
Investment property, net	450,316				417,828				450,316	417,828
Cash and cash equivalents	4,459				936				4,459	936
Inventory of manufactured homes	21,632				14,828				21,632	14,828
Notes and other receivables, net	12,278				13,714				12,278	13,714
Collateralized receivables, net	0				0				0	0
Other assets	2,800				3,073				2,800	3,073
TOTAL ASSETS	$ 491,485				$ 450,379				$ 491,485	$ 450,379
Scenario, Actual [Member] \| Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Transient RV Rental Revenue Recognized, Percentage		45.20%	18.70%	17.50%

Income Taxes , Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes , Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Minimum Percent of Income From Qualifying Sources to Allow For Real Estate Investment Trust Classification	0.00%
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 30,821	$ 31,096
Required Minimum Percent of Taxable Income Distributed to Stock Holders	0.00%
Current tax expense	$ (683)	(158)	$ (219)
Current	438	$ 200
Federal
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	85,100
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 28,900

Income Taxes Charaterization of Distributions (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Dividends per common share:	$ 2.60	$ 2.60	$ 2.60
Percent of Total Dividends Paid	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Ordinary Income [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Dividends per common share:	$ 0.81	$ 1.08	$ 0.82
Percent of Total Dividends Paid	31.20%	41.70%	31.70%
Capital Gains [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Dividends per common share:	$ 0.51	$ 0.78	$ 0.64
Percent of Total Dividends Paid	19.60%	30.10%	24.60%
Return of Capital [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Dividends per common share:	$ 1.28	$ 0.74	$ 1.14
Percent of Total Dividends Paid	49.20%	28.20%	43.70%

Income Taxes, Components of Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Current	$ 187
Current	438	$ 200
Current	58
Deferred	(400)
Foreign	(342)
Total Provision	$ 283

Income Taxes Income Taxes, Reconciliation of the Provision for Income Taxes (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income (Loss) Attributable to Taxable Subsidiaries	$ (11,157)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Amount	$ (3,794)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	34.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes, Amount	$ (183)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes, Percent	1.60%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Alternative Minimum Tax, Amount	$ 93
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Alternative Minimum Tax, Percent	(0.80%)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Amount	$ 104
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Percent	(0.90%)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Amount	$ 4,021
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Percent	(36.00%)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Reconciling Items, Amount	$ (225)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation,Other Reconciling Items, Percent	2.00%
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Taxable Subsidiaries, Amount	$ 16
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Taxable Subsidiaries, Percent	(0.10%)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Other State Tax, Flow Through Subsidiaries	$ 267
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ 283

Income Taxes Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	$ (23,816)	$ 0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	(21,944)	0
Deferred Tax Assets, Net [Abstract]
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards	30,821	31,096
Deferred Tax Assets, Real estate	33,167	27,315
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets	1,746	1,430
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	65,734	59,841
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	(63,862)	(59,841)
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	1,872	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Investments	(23,816)	$ 0
Federal
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	85,100
Deferred Tax Assets, Net [Abstract]
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 28,900

Earnings Per Share , Calculation of Numerator and Denominator (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Numerator
Basic earnings: net income attributable to common stockholders									$ 17,369	$ 137,325	$ 22,376
Income (loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders Allocable To Non Vested Restricted Shares									115	(1,757)	(127)
Net income attributable to common shareholders after restricted stock allocation									17,484	135,568	22,249
Allocation of income to restricted stock awards									(115)	0	127
Amounts attributable to Seris A-4 Preferred Stock									0	0	76
Diluted earnings: net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation									$ 17,369	$ 135,568	$ 22,452
Denominator
Weighted average common shares outstanding									65,856	53,686	41,337
Add: dilutive stock options									8	16	16
Add: dilutive restricted stock									457	0	237
Add: dilutive Series A-4 Preferred Stock									0	0	215
Diluted weighted average common shares and securities									66,321	53,702	41,805
Basic	$ (0.02)	$ 0.27	$ (0.12)	$ 0.14	$ 1.57	$ 0.53	$ 0.23	$ 0.13	$ 0.27	$ 2.53	$ 0.54
Diluted	$ (0.02)	$ 0.27	$ (0.12)	$ 0.14	$ 1.56	$ 0.53	$ 0.23	$ 0.13	$ 0.26	$ 2.52	$ 0.54

Earnings Per Share , Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Loss Per Share (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	7,099	8,550	4,983
Restricted Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	813	0
Common OP Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	2,759	2,863	2,561
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	367	388	429
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, Amount	40	40	40
Series A-4 preferred OP units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	634	755	669
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, Amount	1,284	1,284	1,284
Series A-4 Preferred Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1,682	2,067	0
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, Amount	333	340	0

Quarterly Financial Information Schedule (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Sep. 30, 2016

Jun. 30, 2016

Mar. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Sep. 30, 2015

Jun. 30, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Total revenues

$ 218,634

$ 249,701

$ 190,799

$ 174,644

$ 165,938

$ 155,200

$ 168,238

$ 185,355

$ 833,778

$ 674,731

$ 484,259

Total expenses

211,569

226,688

195,781

162,638

154,862

151,646

$ 165,697

$ 163,771

796,676

635,976

474,150

Income (loss) before income taxes and distributions from affiliate

7,065

23,013

(4,982)

12,006

$ 2,541

$ 21,584

11,076

3,554

37,102

38,755

10,109

Distributions from affiliate

^[1]

7,500

^[1]

Gain on disposition of properties, net

98,430

18,190

(13)

8,769

125,376

17,654

Gain on settlement

4,452

Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.

$ (1,600)

$ 18,897

$ (7,803)

$ 7,875

$ 89,399

$ 28,763

$ 12,294

$ 6,869

$ 26,315

$ 155,446

$ 28,509

Earnings per share, Basic

$ (0.02)

$ 0.27

$ (0.12)

$ 0.14

$ 1.57

$ 0.53

$ 0.23

$ 0.13

$ 0.27

$ 2.53

$ 0.54

Earnings per share, Diluted

$ (0.02)

$ 0.27

$ (0.12)

$ 0.14

$ 1.56

$ 0.53

$ 0.23

$ 0.13

$ 0.26

$ 2.52

$ 0.54

[1]	(1) Refer to Note 6, "Investment in Affiliates," for additional information.(2) Refer to Note 2, "Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions," for additional information.

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References + Details

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

Quarterly Financial Information Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Gain on disposition of properties, net					$ 98,430	$ 18,190	$ (13)	$ 8,769	$ 0	$ 125,376	$ 17,654
Earnings per share, Diluted	$ (0.02)	$ 0.27	$ (0.12)	$ 0.14	$ 1.56	$ 0.53	$ 0.23	$ 0.13	$ 0.26	$ 2.52	$ 0.54

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities , Derivative Contracts (Details) - Interest Rate Cap [Member] $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Derivative Maturing 2015 [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Underlying Basis	3 Month LIBOR
Derivative maturing 2018 [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Derivatives	$ 150.1
Derivative, Type	Cap
Derivative, Purpose	Cap Floating Rate
Derivative, Effective Date	Apr. 01, 2015
Derivative, Maturity Date	Apr. 01, 2018
Derivative, Variable Rate	2.724%
Derivative, Fixed Rate	9.00%
Derivative, Spread on Variable Rate	0.00%
Derivative Maturing 2016 [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Derivatives	$ 9.6
Derivative, Underlying Basis	3 Month LIBOR
Derivative, Type	Cap
Derivative, Purpose	Cap Floating Rate
Derivative, Effective Date	Oct. 03, 2016
Derivative, Maturity Date	May 01, 2023
Derivative, Variable Rate	3.524%
Derivative, Fixed Rate	11.02%
Derivative, Spread on Variable Rate	0.00%

Fair Value of Financial Instruments , By Balance Sheet Grouping (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes and other receivables, net	$ 81,179	$ 47,972
Financial liabilities
Secured borrowings on collateralized receivables	144,477	140,440
Secured debt	2,819,567	2,125,267
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Financial liabilities
Long term debt excluding secured borrowings	2,865,470	2,171,170
Lines of credit	100,095	24,687
Other liabilities (contingent consideration)	10,011	0
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes and other receivables, net	59,320	20,418
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Collateralized Receivables [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes and other receivables, net	143,870	139,768
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial liabilities
Long term debt excluding secured borrowings	2,820,680	2,070,100
Secured debt	144,477	140,440
Lines of credit	98,640	23,520
Other liabilities (contingent consideration)	10,011	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Receivables	59,320	20,418
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Collateralized Receivables [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Receivables	143,870	139,768
Secured Debt [Member]
Financial liabilities
Secured debt	3,110,042	2,336,297
Secured Debt [Member] \| Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Financial liabilities
Secured debt	$ 144,477	$ 140,440

Related Party Transactions (Details)			1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions (Details)	Mar. 30, 2016 shares	Jan. 06, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 shares	Nov. 30, 2015 shares	Jun. 30, 2015 shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) ft² properties $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2016 shares	Jun. 30, 2016 shares	Mar. 31, 2016 shares	Sep. 30, 2015 shares	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) shares	Mar. 31, 2015 shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) ft² properties $ / shares $ / sqft shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Nov. 26, 2014 properties
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common Stock Issued \| shares	6,037,500		3,737,500	3,737,500		19,498,000	620,828,000	485,000,000	6,037,500	608,100,000	26,200,000	342,011,000
Income from affiliate transactions \| $													$ 500,000	$ 7,500,000	$ 1,200,000
Net Rentable Area \| ft²						71,513							71,513
Net Rentable Area, Temporary Space \| ft²						9,140							9,140
Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity \| $													$ 750,385,000	310,301,000	572,171,000
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties						341							341
Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Equity Interest in Office Space, Percentage						17.00%							17.00%
Director [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Legal Fees \| $													$ 8,000,000	$ 4,600,000	$ 7,500,000
Origen Financial Services [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage						22.90%							22.90%
Investment carrying value \| $						$ 0							$ 0
Origen Financial [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage						19.30%							19.30%
Investment carrying value \| $						$ 0							$ 0
Origen Financial [Member] \| Equity Method Investee [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Income from affiliate transactions \| $											$ 7,500,000
Through October 31, 2017 [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transactions, Current and Future Base Rent \| $ / sqft													17.45
Green Courte [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity \| $													$ 12,500,000
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred \| $		$ 1,048,555,000											$ 1,300,000,000
Common Stock [Member] \| Green Courte [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common Stock Issued \| shares													150,000
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares \| shares					25,664								25,664
Series A-4 Preferred Op Units [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares \| shares													4,066,586
Share Repurchase Price \| $ / shares						$ 31.08							$ 31.08
Series A-4 Preferred Op Units [Member] \| Mr Rowe [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares \| shares													156,625
Series A-4 Preferred Op Units [Member] \| Mr Goldman [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares \| shares													22,577
Series A-4 Preferred Op Units [Member] \| Green Courte [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common Stock Issued \| shares													200,000
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares \| shares													34,219
Manufactured home community [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties						226							226			59

Subsequent Events Subsequent Event (Details) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
Subsequent Events Subsequent Event (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 30, 2016	Feb. 23, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Nov. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common Stock Issued	6,037,500			3,737,500	3,737,500	19,498,000	620,828,000	485,000,000	6,037,500	608,100,000	26,200,000	342,011,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt						$ (1,100,000)							$ (1,127,000)	$ (2,800,000)	$ 0
Reduction in secured borrowing balance						$ 79,100,000							$ 19,734,000	$ 26,293,000	$ 21,812,000
Weighted Average Sales Price				$ 76,810		$ 75,900	$ 76,810	$ 71,860		$ 68,000	$ 65,150	$ 63,940	$ 75,900
Net Proceeds (in Millions)						$ 1,500	$ 47,100	$ 34,400		$ 40,800	$ 1,700	$ 21,500
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common Stock Issued			281,000
Debt Instrument, Defeased			$ 18,900,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt			$ 500,000
Reduction in secured borrowing balance		$ 10,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage		5.57%	6.49%
Weighted Average Sales Price			$ 80
Net Proceeds (in Millions)			$ 21,200,000

SCHEDULE III Investment property reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
Reconciliation of Carrying Amount of Real Estate Investments [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 4,573,522	$ 3,363,917
Community and land acquisitions, including immediate improvements	1,822,564	1,214,482	$ 798,827
Community expansion and development	47,958	28,660	22,195
Improvements, other	113,803	195,439	173,989
Asset impairment	0	0	(1,870)
Dispositions and other	(61,508)	(228,976)	(118,343)
Ending balance	$ 6,496,339	$ 4,573,522	$ 2,489,119

SCHEDULE III Accumulated depreciation reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 852,407	$ 795,753	$ 734,067
Depreciation for the period	201,157	159,706	121,103
Asset impairment	0	0	(1,033)
Dispositions and other	(26,706)	(103,052)	(58,384)
Ending balance	$ 1,026,858	$ 852,407	$ 795,753