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Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information - shares	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 18, 2019
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	SUI
Entity Registrant Name	SUN COMMUNITIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000912593
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		86,505,876
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
ASSETS
Land	$ 1,279,306	$ 1,201,945
Land improvements and buildings	5,899,149	5,586,250
Rental homes and improvements	585,994	571,661
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	208,177	201,090
Investment property	7,972,626	7,560,946
Accumulated depreciation	(1,501,370)	(1,442,630)
Investment property, net (including $314,669 and $308,171 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)	6,471,256	6,118,316
Cash and cash equivalents	21,946	50,311
Marketable securities	50,501	49,037
Inventory of manufactured homes	52,993	49,199
Notes and other receivables, net	179,814	160,077
Collateralized receivables, net	101,938	106,924
Other assets, net (including $22,369 and $19,809 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)	220,214	176,162
TOTAL ASSETS	7,098,662	6,710,026
LIABILITIES
Mortgage loans payable (including $43,913 and $44,172 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)	2,879,017	2,815,957
Lines of credit		128,000
Distributions payable	66,887	63,249
Customer Advances and Deposits	151,860	133,698
Other liabilities (including $21,049 and $6,914 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)	179,461	157,862
TOTAL LIABILITIES	3,846,325	3,479,112
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Common, Carrying Amount	22,167	21,976
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized: 180,000 shares; Issued and outstanding:86,463 shares at March 31, 2019 and 86,357 shares at December 31, 2018	865	864
Additional paid-in capital	4,398,641	4,398,949
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,006)	(4,504)
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(1,317,605)	(1,288,486)
Total Sun Communities, Inc. stockholders' equity	3,078,895	3,106,823
Noncontrolling interests:
Common and preferred OP units	51,816	53,354
Consolidated variable interest entities	6,198	7,145
Total noncontrolling interests	58,014	60,499
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	3,136,909	3,167,322
TOTAL LIABILITIES, TEMPORARY EQUITY AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	7,098,662	6,710,026
Series A-4 Preferred Stock
LIABILITIES
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Preferred, Carrying Amount	31,739	31,739
Series A-4 preferred OP units
LIABILITIES
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Preferred, Carrying Amount	9,784	9,877
Series D Preferred OP Units
LIABILITIES
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Preferred, Carrying Amount	51,738	0
Preferred Equity, Mandatorily Redeemable [Member]
LIABILITIES
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	35,249	35,277
Aspen Series B3 Preferred Operating Partnership Units [Member]
LIABILITIES
Mortgage loans payable (including $43,913 and $44,172 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)	34,663
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	34,663	37,338
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
LIABILITIES
Mortgage loans payable (including $43,913 and $44,172 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)	102,676	107,731
Lines of credit	396,512
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
LIABILITIES
Mortgage loans payable (including $43,913 and $44,172 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)	102,676	107,731
Collateralized Receivables [Member]
LIABILITIES
Financing Receivable, Gross	102,676
Collateralized Receivables [Member] \| Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
ASSETS
Collateralized receivables, net	101,938	106,924
Collateralized Receivables [Member] \| Reported Value Measurement [Member]
ASSETS
Notes and other receivables, net	101,900	106,900
Collateralized Receivables [Member] \| Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
ASSETS
Collateralized receivables, net	101,938	106,924
Collateralized Receivables [Member] \| Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
LIABILITIES
Financing Receivable, Gross	$ 102,676	$ 107,700

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Investment property, net	$ 6,471,256	$ 6,118,316
Other assets	220,214	176,162
Secured debt	2,879,017	2,815,957
Other liabilities	$ 179,461	$ 157,862
Common Stock, Par Value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	180,000	180,000
Common Stock, Shares Issued	86,463	86,357
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	86,463	86,357
Series A-4 Preferred Stock
Series A-4 Preferred Stock, Par Value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Series A-4 Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	1,063	1,063
Series A-4 Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	1,063	1,063
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Investment property, net	$ 314,669	$ 308,171
Other assets	22,369	19,809
Secured debt	43,913	44,172
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	35,249	35,277
Other liabilities	$ 21,049	$ 6,914

Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
REVENUES
Income from real property	$ 216,779	$ 197,211
Revenue from home sales	39,618	34,900
Rental home revenue	13,971	13,020
Ancillary revenue	8,482	6,568
Interest	4,800	5,316
Brokerage commissions and other revenues, net	3,680	960
Total revenues	287,330	257,975
EXPENSES
Real estate taxes	15,330	13,836
Property operating and maintenance	57,909	51,630
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	29,277	26,571
Rental home operating and maintenance	4,788	5,227
Ancillary expenses	7,101	5,383
Home selling expenses	3,324	3,290
General and administrative	21,887	19,757
Depreciation and amortization	76,556	66,437
Loss on extinguishment of debt	653	196
Interest	34,014	31,138
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity	1,094	619
Total expenses	252,715	221,871
Income Before Other Items	34,615	36,104
Remeasurement of marketable securities	267	0
Catastrophic weather related charges	(782)	(2,213)
Other income / (expense), net	1,898	(2,617)
Current tax expense	(214)
Provision for state income taxes	(200)	(174)
Deferred tax benefit	217	347
Net Income	37,127	33,601
Less: Preferred return to preferred OP units	(1,323)	(1,080)
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,041)	(2,094)
Net Income Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	34,763	30,427
Less: Preferred stock distribution	(432)	(441)
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$ 34,331	$ 29,986
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	85,520	78,855
Diluted	86,033	79,464
Earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.40	$ 0.38
Diluted	$ 0.40	$ 0.38
Distributions from Affiliate	$ 344	$ (59)

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 37,127	$ 33,601
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1,575	(1,861)
Total comprehensive income	38,702	31,740
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,118	2,005
Comprehensive income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	$ 37,584	$ 29,735

- Definition

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

+ References

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+ Details

Consolidated Statement Of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Distributions in Excess of Accumulated Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interests	Common OP Units	Series D Preferred OP Units
Temporary equity, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 43,066
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Conversion of stock							$ (60)
Net income	71
Distributions	(171)
Temporary equity, ending balance at Mar. 31, 2018	42,906
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	2,663,687	$ 797	$ 3,758,533	$ (1,162,001)	$ 1,102	$ 65,256
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock and common OP units, net	(3,296)	2	(3,298)
Conversion of OP units	(59)		(342)			(283)
Share-based compensation - amortization and forfeitures	3,579		3,489	90
Foreign currency translation	(1,861)				(1,772)	(89)
Net income	33,530			31,507		2,023
Distributions	(60,047)			(57,159)		(2,888)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2018	2,635,651	799	3,759,066	(1,187,563)	(670)	64,019
Temporary equity, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	63,592
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Conversion of stock							$ 0
Net income	178
Distributions	(272)
Temporary equity, ending balance at Mar. 31, 2019	115,428
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	3,167,322	864	4,398,949	(1,288,486)	(4,504)	60,499
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock and common OP units, net	(4,321)	$ 1	(4,322)
Conversion of units		0
Conversion of OP units			(280)			(280)
Share-based compensation - amortization and forfeitures	3,793		3,719	74
Temporary Equity, Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues								$ 51,930
Foreign currency translation	1,575				1,498	77
Net income	36,949			36,086		863
Distributions	(68,409)		15	(65,279)		(3,145)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 3,136,909	$ 865	$ 4,398,641	$ (1,317,605)	$ (3,006)	$ 58,014

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	$ 103,141	$ 80,905
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in properties	(114,804)	(68,524)
Acquisitions of properties, net of cash acquired	(279,302)	(2,384)
Proceeds from dispositions of assets and depreciated homes, net	11,788	5,312
Purchases of notes receivable	0	(893)
Other investing activities	0	(1,925)
Repayments of notes and other receivables	1,030	679
Repayments of notes and other receivables	11,195	783
NET CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(392,483)	(68,518)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance of common stock, OP units, and preferred OP units, net	(4,321)	(3,296)
Borrowings on lines of credit	1,428,948	302,355
Payments on lines of credit	(1,160,436)	201,853
Proceeds from issuance of other debt	265,000	0
Payments on other debt	(200,892)	(43,883)
Prepayment penalty on debt	0	196
Distributions to stockholders, OP unit holders, and preferred OP unit holders	(65,145)	56,881
Payments for deferred financing costs	(1,000)	(605)
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities	1,618	0
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES	261,097	(8,464)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	158	(8)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(28,087)	3,915
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	62,262	23,509
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period (See Note 16)	34,175	27,424
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest (net of capitalized interest of $1,357 and $1,184 respectively)	32,711	30,402
Cash paid for interest on mandatorily redeemable debt	1,094	619
Cash paid (refunds) for income taxes	(60)	135
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Reduction in secured borrowing balance	5,055	5,105
Change in distributions declared and outstanding	3,536	3,337
Conversion of common and preferred OP units	280	342
Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition, Noncash Financial Or Equity Instrument Consideration, Value Of Shares Issued	51,930	0
Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition, Escrow	4,035	0
Series B-3 Preferred OP Units [Member]
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Redemption of Series A-4 preferred stock and OP units	$ (2,675)	$ (4,105)

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Capitalized interest	$ 1,357	$ 1,184

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation	Mar. 31, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation Sun Communities, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and all wholly-owned or majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries, including Sun Communities Operating Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”) and Sun Home Services, Inc. (“SHS”) are referred to herein as the “Company,” “us,” “we,” and “our.” We follow accounting standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). FASB sets generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), which we follow to ensure that we consistently report our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. References to GAAP issued by the FASB in these footnotes are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). These unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information and in accordance with GAAP. Pursuant to the SEC rules and regulations we present interim disclosures and certain information and footnote disclosures as required. Accordingly, the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, including adjustments of a normal and recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the interim financial statements. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements in order to conform to current period presentation. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. These unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019 (the “2018 Annual Report”). These statements have been prepared on a basis that is substantially consistent with the accounting principles applied in our 2018 Annual Report.

Revenue

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following tables details our revenue by major source (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019						Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	Real Property Operations		Home Sales and Rentals		Consolidated		Real Property Operations		Home Sales and Rentals		Consolidated
REVENUE
Income from real property	$	216,779	$	—	$	216,779	$	197,211	$	—	$	197,211
Revenue from home sales	—		39,618		39,618		—		34,900		34,900
Rental home revenue	—		13,971		13,971		—		13,020		13,020
Ancillary revenues	8,482		—		8,482		6,568		—		6,568
Interest	4,800		—		4,800		5,316		—		5,316
Brokerage commissions and other revenues, net	3,680		—		3,680		960		—		960
Total revenue	$	233,741	$	53,589	$	287,330	$	210,055	$	47,920	$	257,975

Revenue Recognition Policies and Performance Obligations

On January 1, 2018, we adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” and the other related ASUs and amendments to the codification (collectively “ASC 606”). The core principle of ASC 606 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. A five-step transactional analysis is required to determine how and when to recognize revenue. ASC 606 applies to all contracts with customers, except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB accounting standards codification.

As a real estate owner and operator, the majority of our revenue is derived from site and home leases that are accounted for pursuant to ASC 842 “Leases.” For transactions in the scope of ASC 606, we recognize revenue when control of goods or services transfers to the customer, in the amount that we expect to receive for the transfer of goods or provision of services. The adoption of ASC 606 did not result in any change to our accounting policies for revenue recognition. Accordingly, retrospective application to prior periods or a cumulative catch-up adjustment was unnecessary.

Income from real property - Residents in our communities lease the site on which their home is located, and either own or lease their home. Lease revenues for sites and homes fall under the scope of ASC 842, and are accounted for as operating leases with straight-line recognition. Resident leases are generally for one-year or month-to-month terms, and are renewable by mutual agreement from us and the resident, or in some cases, as provided by jurisdictional statute. Income from real property includes site leases for annual MH residents which are within the scope of ASC 842. Annual recreational vehicle (“RV”) site leases with residents are also included within the scope of ASC 842 and revenue is recorded within Income from real property. Non-lease components of our site lease contracts, which are primarily provision of utility services, are accounted for with the site lease as a single lease under ASC 842. Additionally, we include collections of real estate taxes from residents within Income from real property. The site rental associated with a transient RV resident stay is accounted for under ASC 842 and is recorded within Income from real property.

Revenue from home sales - Our taxable REIT subsidiary, SHS, sells manufactured homes (“MH”) to current and prospective residents in our communities. Prior to adoption of ASC 606, we recognized revenue for home sales pursuant to ASC 605 “Revenue Recognition,” as manufactured homes are tangible personal property that can be located on any land parcel. Manufactured homes are not permanent fixtures or improvements to the underlying real estate, and were therefore not considered to be subject to the guidance in ASC 360-20 “Real Estate Sales” by the Company. In accordance with the core principle of ASC 606, we recognize revenue from home sales at the time of closing when control of the home transfers to the customer. After closing of the sale transaction, we have no remaining performance obligation.

Rental home revenue - is comprised of rental agreements whereby we lease homes to residents in our communities. We account for these revenues under ASC 842.

Ancillary revenues - are primarily composed of proceeds from restaurant, golf, merchandise and other activities at our RV communities and are included in the scope of ASC 606. Short-term vacation home rentals are included within ancillary revenues and within the scope of ASC 842. Revenues are recognized at point of sale when control of the good or service transfers to the customer and our performance obligation is satisfied. In addition, ancillary revenues include the leasing of short term vacation rentals. Sales and other taxes that we collect concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from the transaction price.

Interest income - is earned primarily on our notes and collateralized receivables, which includes installment loans for manufactured homes purchased by the Company from loan originators and transferred loans that previously did not meet the requirements for sale accounting. Interest income on these receivables is accrued based on the unpaid principal balances of the underlying loans on a level yield basis over the life of the loans. Interest income is not in the scope of ASC 606. Refer to Notes 4, “Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets” and 5, “Notes and Other Receivables” for additional information.

Broker commissions and other revenues, net - is primarily comprised of brokerage commissions for sales of manufactured homes, where we act as agent and arrange for a third party to transfer a manufactured home to a customer within one of our communities. Brokerage commission revenues are recognized on a net basis at closing, when the transaction is completed and our performance obligations have been fulfilled. Loan loss reserve expenses for our collateralized receivables and notes receivables are also included herein. Refer to Notes 4, “Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets” and 5, “Notes and Other Receivables” for additional information regarding our loan loss reserves.

Contract Balances

As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had $18.0 million and $16.1 million, respectively, of receivables from contracts with customers. Receivables from contracts with customers are presented as a component of Notes and other receivables on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These receivables represent balances owed to us for previously completed performance obligations for sales of manufactured homes. Due to the nature of our revenue from contracts with customers, we do not have material contract assets or liabilities that fall under the scope of ASC 606.

Real Estate Acquisitions

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Real Estate Acquisitions

2019 Acquisitions

In 2019 we acquired the following communities:

Community Name

Type

Sites

Development Sites

State

Month Acquired

Massey’s Landing RV

291

—

February

Shelby Properties⁽¹⁾

1,308

—

February

Buena Vista

400

—

February

Country Village Estates ⁽²⁾

518

—

January

Hid’n Pines RV

321

—

January

Hacienda del Rio

MH (Age-Restricted)

730

January

Total

3,568

⁽¹⁾ Contains two MH communities.

⁽²⁾ In conjunction with the acquisition, we issued Series D Preferred Operating Partnership (“OP”) Units. As of March 31, 2019, 488,958 Series D Preferred OP Units were outstanding.

The following table summarizes the amounts of assets acquired net of liabilities assumed at the acquisition date and the consideration paid for the acquisitions completed in the three months ended March 31, 2019 (in thousands):



At Acquisition Date ⁽¹⁾	Massey's Landing			Shelby Properties			Buena Vista			Country Village		Hid'n Pines			Hacienda del Rio			Total
Investment in property	$	20,000		$	85,969		$	20,221		$	62,784	$	10,680		$	111,971		$	311,625
Inventory of manufactured homes	—			2,011			439			—		—			15			2,465
In-place leases and other intangible assets	—			6,520			1,590			2,020		70			3,280			13,480
Other assets (liabilities), net	(446		)	(1,015		)	(93		)	31		(233		)	(237		)	(1,993		)
Total identifiable assets acquired net of liabilities assumed	$	19,554		$	93,485		$	22,157		$	64,835	$	10,517		$	115,029		$	325,577


Consideration
Cash and escrow	$	19,554		$	93,485		$	22,157		$	12,905	$	10,517		$	115,029		$	273,647
Series D Preferred OP units	—			—			—			51,930		—			—			51,930
Total consideration	$	19,554		$	93,485		$	22,157		$	64,835	$	10,517		$	115,029		$	325,577

⁽¹⁾ The purchase price allocations are preliminary and may be adjusted as final valuations are determined.

As of March 31,2019, the Company has incurred $5.1 million of additional capitalized transaction costs which have been allocated among the various categories above.

During the quarter, the Company entered into a four year Temporary Occupancy and Use Permit with the Port of San Diego to operate an RV resort located in Chula Vista, CA until such time as a new RV resort is constructed in the area. Concurrent with the transaction, we purchased tangible personal property from the prior owner of the RV resort for $0.3 million.

Refer to Note 19, “Subsequent Events,” for information regarding real estate acquisition activity after March 31, 2019.

The total amount of revenues and net income included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 related to the acquisitions completed in 2019 are set forth in the following table (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	(unaudited)
Total revenues	$	3,764
Net income	$	1,317

The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the results of our operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, as if the properties acquired in 2019 had been acquired on January 1, 2018. The unaudited pro forma results reflect certain adjustments for items that are not expected to have a continuing impact, such as adjustments for transaction costs incurred, management fees, and purchase accounting.

The information presented below has been prepared for comparative purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of either future results of operations or the results of operations that would have actually occurred had the acquisition been consummated on January 1, 2018 (in thousands, except per-share data):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	(unaudited)
	2019		2018
Total revenues	$	289,253	$	263,706
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	34,885	$	31,732
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic	$	0.41	$	0.40
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted	$	0.41	$	0.40

2018 Acquisitions

In 2018 we acquired the following communities:

Community Name

Type

Sites

Development Sites

State

Month Acquired

Leaf Verde RV Resort

376

—

October

Archview

114

August

Petoskey KOA

210

—

August

The Sands RV and Golf Resort

RV (Age Restricted)

507

—

July

Sun NG RV Resorts LLC ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾

2,700

940

Various

June

Silver Creek

264

176

June

Highway West ⁽¹⁾

536

—

UT & OR

June

Compass RV

175

—

May

Total

4,882

1,166

⁽¹⁾Highway West and Sun NG RV Resorts LLC are comprised of 4 RV and 10 RV resorts, respectively.

⁽²⁾Refer to Note 8, “Consolidated Variable Interest Entities,” Note 9, “Debt and Lines of Credit,” and Note 10, “Equity and Temporary Equity” in our accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

The following table summarizes the amounts of assets acquired net of liabilities assumed at the acquisition date and the consideration paid for the acquisitions completed in 2018 (in thousands):



At Acquisition Date	Leaf Verde		Archview		Petoskey KOA		Sands		Sun NG Resorts			Silver Creek		Highway West		Compass		Total
Investment in property	$	11,587	$	14,550	$	8,730	$	13,790	$	240,649		$	7,250	$	36,500	$	13,930	$	346,986
In-place leases and other intangible assets	60		—		270		460		16,339			—		—		70		17,199
Debt assumed	—		—		—		—		(3,120		)	—		—		—		(3,120		)
Other liabilities, net	—		—		—		—		(11,990		)	—		—		—		(11,990		)
Total identifiable assets acquired net of liabilities assumed	$	11,647	$	14,550	$	9,000	$	14,250	$	241,878		$	7,250	$	36,500	$	14,000	$	349,075

Consideration
Cash	$	11,647	$	14,550	$	9,000	$	14,250	$	184,625		$	7,250	$	36,500	$	14,000	$	291,822
Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts	—		—		—		—		35,277			—		—		—		35,277
Equity Interests - NG Sun LLC	—		—		—		—		21,976			—		—		—		21,976
Total consideration	$	11,647	$	14,550	$	9,000	$	14,250	$	241,878		$	7,250	$	36,500	$	14,000	$	349,075

In 2018, we acquired the following land for expansion / development:



Name	Location	Type	Expansion / Development Sites	Cost (millions)		Month Acquired
Ocean West	McKinleyville, CA	MH	26	$	0.2	December
Water Oak Country Club Estates	Lady Lake, FL	MH	296	$	1.9	November
Oak Crest	Austin, TX	MH	220	$	4.2	October
Pecan Park	Jacksonville, FL	RV	158	$	1.3	September
Smith Creek Crossing	Granby, CO	MH	310	$	0.9	September
Apple Carr	Egelston, MI	MH	121	$	0.2	May
River Run Ranch	Granby, CO	MH / RV	1,144	$	5.3	May
		Total	2,275	$	14.0

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Transfers and Servicing [Abstract]

Transfers Of Financial Assets

Transfers of Financial Assets

We previously 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 Percentage
Fewer than or equal to 15	100	%
Greater than 15 but fewer than 64	90	%
Equal to or greater than 64 but fewer 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 $101.9 million (net of allowance of $0.7 million) and $106.9 million (net of allowance of $0.8 million) as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The receivables have a weighted average interest rate and maturity of 9.9 percent and 13.9 years as of March 31, 2019, and 9.9 percent and 14.1 years as of December 31, 2018.

The outstanding balance on the secured borrowing was $102.7 million and $107.7 million as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, 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 $2.4 million and $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The balances of the collateralized receivables and secured borrowings 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):



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Beginning balance	$	107,731
Principal payments and payoffs from our customers	(3,109		)
Principal reduction from repurchased homes	(1,946		)
Total activity	(5,055		)
Ending balance	$	102,676

The following table sets forth the allowance for the collateralized receivables as of March 31, 2019 (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Beginning balance	$	(807	)
Lower of cost or market write-downs	45
Decrease to reserve balance	24
Total activity	69
Ending balance	$	(738	)

Notes And Other Receivables

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

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):



	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net	$	109,256	$	112,798
Other receivables, net	70,558		47,279
Total notes and other receivables, net	$	179,814	$	160,077

Installment Notes Receivable on Manufactured Homes

Our investment in installment notes of $109.3 million (net of allowance of $0.7 million) and $112.8 million (net of allowance of $0.7 million) as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, are collateralized by manufactured homes. The notes represent financing to purchasers of manufactured homes primarily located in our communities and require monthly principal and interest payments. The notes have a net weighted average interest rate (net of servicing costs) and maturity of 8.0 percent and 16.4 years as of March 31, 2019, and 8.0 percent and 16.6 years as of December 31, 2018, respectively.

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



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Beginning balance	$	113,495
Investment in installment notes	63
Principal payments and payoffs from customers	(1,653		)
Principal reduction from repossessed homes	(1,994		)
Total activity	(3,584		)
Ending balance	$	109,911

Allowance for Losses for Installment Notes Receivable

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



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Beginning balance	$	(697	)
Lower of cost or market write-downs	57
Increase to reserve balance	(15		)
Total activity	42
Ending balance	$	(655	)

Other Receivables

As of March 31, 2019, other receivables were comprised of amounts due from: residents for rent, utility charges, fees and other pass through charges of $13.0 million; home sale proceeds of $18.0 million; insurance receivables of $18.5 million and other receivables of $21.1 million. As of December 31, 2018, other receivables were comprised of amounts due from: residents for rent, utility charges, fees and other pass through charges of $7.1 million (net of allowance of $1.5 million); home sale proceeds of $16.1 million; and insurance and other receivables of $24.1 million.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for claims held for amounts due a entity, excluding financing receivables. Examples include, but are not limited to, trade accounts receivables, notes receivables, loans receivables. Includes disclosure for allowance for credit losses.

+ References + Details

Intangible Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

Intangible Assets

Our intangible assets include in-place leases, franchise agreements and other intangible assets. These intangible assets are recorded in Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In accordance with ASC 842, below market leases are now classified as a right of use asset.

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



		March 31, 2019					December 31, 2018
Intangible Asset	Useful Life	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
In-place leases	7 years	117,544		(62,740		)	103,547		(59,068		)
Franchise agreements and other intangible assets	7-20 years	16,944		(2,146		)	16,641		(1,942		)
Total		$	134,488	$	(64,886	)	$	120,188	$	(61,010	)

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



	Three Months Ended March 31,
Intangible Asset	2019		2018
In-place leases	3,672		3,490
Franchise agreements and other intangible assets	205		19
Total	$	3,877	$	3,509

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



	Year
	Remainder of 2019		2020		2021		2022		2023
Estimated expense	$	11,850	$	14,144	$	13,752	$	9,151	$	5,776

Investment In Affiliates	3 Months Ended
Investment In Affiliates	Mar. 31, 2019
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investment In Affiliates	Investment in Affiliates Investments in joint ventures that are not consolidated, nor investments recorded at cost, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting as prescribed in FASB ASC Topic 323, “Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures.” RezPlot Systems LLC (“Rezplot”) - In January 2019, the Company acquired a 50 percent ownership interest in RezPlot, a software technology company. As of March 31, 2019 we had a $5.3 million investment in RezPlot which is recorded within Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we recognized $0.2 million loss in the Income / (loss) from nonconsolidated affiliates on the Consolidated Statement of Operations related to our ownership interest. Sungenia JV - In November 2018, the Company and Ingenia Communities Group entered into a joint venture (“JV”) to establish and grow a manufactured housing community development program in Australia. We hold a 50 percent interest in the JV entity. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had a $2.2 million and $0.7 million investment in the JV which is recorded within Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 we recognized less than $0.1 million loss in the Income / (loss) from nonconsolidated affiliates on the Consolidated Statement of Operations related to our ownership interest. GTSC LLC (“GTSC”) - At March 31, 2019, we had a 40 percent ownership interest in GTSC which engages in acquiring, holding and selling loans secured, directly or indirectly, by manufactured homes located in communities of Sun Communities. Our investment in GTSC as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was $37.9 million and $29.8 million, respectively, and is recorded within Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, there was $0.5 million net gain and $0.1 million net loss, respectively, in the Income / (loss) from nonconsolidated affiliates on the Consolidated Statement of Operations related to our ownership interest. Origen Financial Services, LLC (“OFS LLC”) - At March 31, 2019 and 2018, we had a 22.9 percent ownership interest in OFS LLC. As of both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 our investment in OFS LLC was $0.1 million respectively and is recorded within Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, we recognized less than $0.1 million and no income, respectively, in Income / (loss) from nonconsolidated affiliates on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

DisclosureofVariableInterestEntities [Abstract]

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

In 2016, we adopted (“ASU 2015-02”) Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. ASU 2015-02 modified the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities. 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 VIE. Our significant asset is our investment in the Operating Partnership, and consequently, substantially all of our assets and liabilities represent those assets and liabilities of the Operating Partnership. We are the sole general partner and generally have the power to manage and have complete control over the Operating Partnership and the obligation to absorb its losses or the right to receive its benefits. Accordingly, we consolidate the Operating Partnership under this new guidance.

Effective June 1, 2018, the Company acquired a majority interest in Sun NG RV Resorts LLC (“Sun NG Resorts”), which is comprised of ten RV resorts and one ground up RV development with 2,700 RV sites and an additional 940 sites available for development. The Company purchased an 80 percent interest in Sun NG Resorts for $61.6 million through Sun NG LLC; the remaining 20 percent interest of $15.4 million is held by NG Sun LLC, an unrelated third-party. Sun paid additional consideration of $123.3 million, consisting of a $1.8 million preferred equity investment and a $121.5 million temporary loan to Sun NG Resorts.

We consolidate Sun NG Resorts under the guidance set forth in FASB ASC Topic 810 “Consolidation.” We concluded that Sun NG Resorts is a variable interest entity where we are the primary beneficiary, as we have power to direct the significant activities, absorb the significant losses and receive the significant benefits from the entity. Refer to Note 3, “Real Estate Acquisitions,” Note 9, “Debt and Lines of Credit,” and Note 10, “Equity and Temporary Equity” for additional information.

We consolidate Rudgate Village SPE, LLC; Rudgate Clinton SPE, LLC; and Rudgate Clinton Estates SPE, LLC (collectively, “Rudgate”) as a VIE. We evaluated our arrangement with this property under the guidance set forth in FASB ASC Topic 810 “Consolidation.” We concluded that Rudgate qualified as a VIE where we are the primary beneficiary, as we have power to direct the significant activities, absorb the significant losses and receive the significant benefits from the entity.

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



	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
ASSETS
Investment property, net	$	314,669	$	308,171
Other assets, net	22,369		19,809
Total Assets	$	337,038	$	327,980

LIABILITIES AND OTHER EQUITY
Debt	$	43,913	$	44,172
Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts - mandatorily redeemable	35,249		35,277
Other liabilities	21,049		6,914
Total Liabilities	100,211		86,363
Equity Interests - NG Sun LLC	22,167		21,976
Noncontrolling interests	6,198		7,145
Total Liabilities and Other Equity	$	128,576	$	115,484

Investment property, net and other assets, net related to the consolidated VIEs comprised approximately 4.7 percent and 4.9 percent of our consolidated total assets at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Debt, Preferred Equity and other liabilities comprised approximately 2.6 percent and 2.6 percent of our consolidated total liabilities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Equity Interests and Noncontrolling interests related to the consolidated VIEs, on an absolute basis, comprised less than 1.0 percent of our consolidated total equity at March 31, 2019 and at December 31, 2018, respectively.

Debt And Lines Of Credit

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt Disclosure [Text Block]

Debt and Lines of Credit

The following table sets forth certain information regarding debt including premiums, discounts and deferred financing costs (in thousands):



	Carrying Amount				Weighted Average Years to Maturity		Weighted Average Interest Rates
	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018		March 31, 2019	December 31, 2018	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Collateralized term loans - Life Companies	$	1,330,591	$	1,259,158	16.7	14.4	4.0	%	3.9	%
Collateralized term loans - FNMA	765,391		770,417		4.9	5.1	4.4	%	4.4	%
Collateralized term loans - CMBS	403,878		405,702		3.8	4.1	5.1	%	5.1	%
Collateralized term loans - FMCC	379,157		380,680		5.6	5.9	3.9	%	3.9	%
Secured borrowings	102,676		107,731		14.2	14.4	9.9	%	9.9	%
Lines of credit	396,512		128,000		2.1	2.3	3.7	%	3.8	%
Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts - mandatorily redeemable	35,249		35,277		3.5	3.8	6.0	%	6.0	%
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	34,663		37,338		4.8	4.7	6.5	%	6.6	%
Total debt	$	3,448,117	$	3,124,303	9.3	9.0	4.4	%	4.5	%

Collateralized Term Loans

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we completed a $265.0 million 25-year term loan transaction which carries an interest rate of 4.17 percent. Concurrently, we repaid a $186.8 million term loan with an interest rate of 3.83 percent which was due to mature in January 2030. We recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $0.7 million as a result of the repayment transaction in our Consolidated Statement of Operations.

During the three months ended December 31, 2018, we repaid a term loan of $10.2 million with an interest rate of 5.66 percent. The loan was due to mature on February 28, 2019. Concurrently, we entered into a $21.7 million collateralized term loan with a 4.10 percent fixed interest rate and 20-year term.

During the three months ended September 30, 2018, we entered into a $228.0 million collateralized term loan with a 4.10 percent fixed rate and a 20-year term. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, we repaid one collateralized term loan of $30.5 million with an interest rate of 6.34 percent, releasing one encumbered community, which was due to mature March 1, 2019. We recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $0.9 million as a result of the repayment transaction in our Consolidated Statement of Operations.

During the three months ended June 30, 2018 we repaid three collateralized term loans totaling $177.7 million with a weighted average interest rate of 4.53 percent, releasing 11 encumbered communities. One loan was due to mature on August 1, 2018 and two loans were due to mature on May 1, 2023. We recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.5 million as a result of the repayment transaction.

In the first quarter of 2018, we repaid four collateralized term loans totaling $24.4 million with a weighted average interest rate of 6.36 percent, releasing three encumbered communities. The loans were due to mature on March 1, 2019. We recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $0.2 million as a result of the repayment transactions.

The collateralized term loans totaling $2.9 billion as of March 31, 2019, are secured by 185 properties comprised of 72,964 sites representing approximately $3.2 billion of net book value.

Secured Borrowing

See Note 4, “Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets,” for information regarding our collateralized receivables and secured borrowing transactions.

Preferred OP Units - mandatorily redeemable

Preferred OP units at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 include $34.7 million of Aspen preferred OP units issued by the Operating Partnership. As of March 31, 2019, these units are convertible indirectly into 430,260 shares of our 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 market price of our common stock is $68.00 per share or less, 0.397 common OP units; or (b) if the market price of our common stock is greater than $68.00 per share, the number of common OP units is determined by dividing (i) the sum of (A) $27.00 plus (B) 25 percent of the amount by which the market price of our common stock exceeds $68.00 per share, by (ii) the per share market price of our common stock. The current preferred distribution rate is 6.5 percent. On January 2, 2024, we are required to redeem all Aspen preferred OP units that have not been converted to common OP units.

Preferred OP units also include $2.7 million of Series B-3 preferred OP units at December 31, 2018, which are not convertible. In January 2019, we redeemed all remaining 26,750 Series B-3 preferred OP units. The weighted average redemption price per unit, which included accrued and unpaid distributions, of $100.153424. In the aggregate, we paid $2.7 million to redeem these units.

Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts - mandatorily redeemable

In June 2018, in connection with the investment in Sun NG Resorts, $35.3 million of mandatorily redeemable Preferred Equity (“Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts”) was purchased by unrelated third parties. The Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts carries a preferred rate of return of 6.0 percent per annum. The Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts has a seven-year term and can be redeemed in the fourth quarter of 2022 at the holders’ option. The Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts as of March 31, 2019 was

$35.2 million. Refer to Note 3, “Real Estate Acquisitions,” Note 8, “Consolidated Variable Interest Entities,” and Note 10, “Equity and Temporary Equity” for additional information.

Lines of Credit

In April 2017, we amended and restated our credit agreement (the “A&R Credit Agreement”) with Citibank, N.A. (“Citibank”) and certain other lenders. Pursuant to the A&R Credit Agreement, we entered into a senior revolving credit facility with Citibank and certain other lenders in the amount of $650.0 million, comprised of a $550.0 million revolving loan and a $100.0 million term loan (the “A&R Facility”). We repaid the term loan in full on September 7, 2018 and are unable to reborrow on the term loan. The A&R Credit Agreement has a four-year term ending April 25, 2021, 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 A&R Credit Agreement also provides for, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, additional commitments in an amount not to exceed $350.0 million. If additional borrowings are made pursuant to any such additional commitments, the aggregate borrowing limit under the A&R Facility may be increased up to $900.0 million.

The A&R 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 A&R Credit Agreement, which margin can range from 1.35 percent to 2.20 percent for the revolving loan. As of March 31, 2019, the margin based on our leverage ratio was 1.35 percent on the revolving loan. We had $393.0 million borrowings on the revolving loan as of March 31, 2019.

The A&R Facility provides us with the ability to issue letters of credit. Our issuance of letters of credit does not increase our borrowings outstanding under our line of credit, but does reduce the borrowing amount available. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, approximately $3.9 million 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 their intent to terminate the agreement. The interest rate is 100 basis points over the greater of the prime rate as quoted in the Wall Street Journal on the first business day of each month or 6.0 percent. At March 31, 2019, the effective interest rate was 7.0 percent. The outstanding balance was $3.5 million as of March 31, 2019 and zero as of December 31, 2018.

Covenants

Pursuant to the terms of the A&R Facility, we are subject to various financial and other covenants. The most restrictive of our debt agreements place limitations on secured borrowings and contain minimum fixed charge coverage, leverage, distribution, and net worth requirements. At March 31, 2019, 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 and Temporary Equity

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Equity [Abstract]

Equity and Temporary Equity

At the Market Offering Sales Agreement

In July 2017, we entered into a new at the market offering sales agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with certain sales agents

(collectively, the “Sales Agents”), whereby we may offer and sell shares of our common stock, having an aggregate offering price of up to $450.0 million, from time to time through the Sales Agents. The Sales Agents are entitled to compensation in an agreed amount not to exceed 2.0 percent of the gross price per share for any shares sold from time to time under the Sales Agreement. Through March 31, 2019, we have sold shares of our common stock for gross proceeds of $163.8 million under the Sales Agreement. There were no issuances of common stock under the Sales Agreement during 2019.

Issuance of Series D Preferred OP Units - Temporary Equity

In February 2019, we issued 488,958 Series D Preferred OP Units in connection with the acquisition of Country Village Estates. The Series D preferred OP units have a stated issuance price of $100.00 per OP Unit and carry a preferred return of 3.75 percent until the second anniversary of the issuance date. Commencing with the second anniversary of the issuance date, the Series D Preferred OP Units carry a preferred return of 4.0 percent. Commencing with the first anniversary of the issuance date, each Series D Preferred OP Unit can be exchanged for 0.8 shares of SUI stock at the holder’s option. The holders may require redemption in cash after the fifth anniversary of the Series D issuance date or upon the holder’s death. Refer to Note 3, “Real Estate Acquisitions”.

Equity Interests - NG Sun LLC - Temporary Equity

In June 2018, in connection with the investment in Sun NG Resorts, unrelated third parties purchased $6.5 million of Series B preferred equity interests and $15.4 million of common equity interest in Sun NG Resorts (herein jointly referred to as “Equity Interest - NG Sun LLC”). The Series B preferred equity interests carry a preferred return at a rate that, at any time, is equal to the interest rate on Sun NG Resorts’ indebtedness at such time. The current rate of return is 5.0 percent. The Equity Interests - NG Sun LLC do not have a fixed maturity date and can be redeemed in the fourth quarter of 2022 at the holders’ option. Sun NG LLC, our subsidiary, has the right during certain periods each year, with or without cause, or for cause at any time, to elect to buy NG Sun LLC’s interest. During a limited period in 2022, NG Sun LLC has the right to put its interest to Sun NG LLC. If either party exercises their option, the property management agreement will be terminated and the Company is required to purchase the remaining interests of NG Sun LLC and the property management agreement at fair value. Refer to Note 3, “Real Estate Acquisitions,” Note 8, “Consolidated Variable Interest Entities,” and Note 9, “Debt and Lines of Credit” for additional information.

Conversions

Subject to certain limitations, holders can convert certain series of stock and OP units to shares of our common stock at any time. Below is the activity of conversions during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:



		Three Months Ended March 31, 2019		Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Series	Conversion Rate	Units/Shares Converted	Common Stock	Units/Shares Converted	Common Stock
Common OP unit	1	6,533	6,533	6,777	6,777
Series A-1 preferred OP unit	2.439	3,950	9,633	3,700	9,023
Series A-4 preferred OP unit	0.4444	—	—	2,373	1,054

Cash Distributions

Cash Distributions for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were as follows:



Cash Distributions	Record Date	Payment Date	Distribution per Share		Total Distribution (thousands)
Common Stock, Common OP units and Restricted Stock	3/29/2019	4/15/2019	$	0.75	$	66,886
Series A-4 Preferred Stock	3/15/2019	4/1/2019	$	0.40625	$	432

Repurchase Program

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 as of March 31, 2019. No common shares were repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2019 or 2018. There is no expiration date specified for the buyback program.

Share-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Share-Based Compensation

As of March 31, 2019, we had two share-based compensation plans; the Sun Communities, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (“2015 Equity Incentive Plan”) and the First Amended and Restated 2004 Non-Employee Director Option Plan (“2004 Non-Employee Director Option Plan”). We believe granting equity awards will provide certain executives, key employees and directors additional incentives to promote our financial success, and promote employee and director retention by providing an opportunity to acquire or increase the direct proprietary interest of those individuals in our operations and future.

The following table shows details on grants of equity awards during the three months ended March 31, 2019:



Grant Period	Type	Plan	Shares Granted	Grant Date Fair Value Per Share			Vesting Type	Vesting Anniversary	Percentage

2019	Executive Officers	2015 Equity Incentive Plan	44,000	$	115.39	(1)	Time Based	20.0% annually over 5 years
2019	Executive Officers	2015 Equity Incentive Plan	66,000	$	86.71	(2)	Market Condition	3rd	100.0	%
2019	Directors	2004 Non-Employee Director Option Plan	18,000	$	113.68	(1)	Time Based	3rd	100.0	%

⁽¹⁾The fair value of the grants were determined by using the average closing price of our common stock on the dates the shares were issued.

⁽²⁾Share-based compensation for restricted stock awards with market conditions is measured based on an estimate of shares expected to vest. We estimate the fair value of share-based compensation for restricted stock with market conditions using a Monte Carlo simulation. At the grant date our common stock price was $115.39. Based on the Monte Carlo simulation we expect 75.1% of the 66,000 shares to vest.

Options

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, 1,500 shares of common stock were issued in connection with the exercise of stock options with net proceeds of less than $0.1 million. There were no stock option exercises during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Vesting

The vesting requirements for 108,435 restricted shares granted to our executives, directors and employees were satisfied during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Segment Reporting

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting

We group our operating segments into reportable segments that provide similar products and services. Each operating segment has discrete financial information evaluated regularly by our chief operating decision maker in evaluating and assessing performance. We have two reportable segments: (i) Real Property Operations and (ii) Home Sales and Rentals. The Real Property Operations segment owns, operates, has an interest in a portfolio, and develops MH communities and RV communities, and is in the business of acquiring, operating, and expanding MH and RV communities. The Home Sales and Rentals segment offers manufactured home sales and leasing services to tenants and prospective tenants of our communities.

Transactions between our segments are eliminated in consolidation. Transient RV revenue is included in the Real Property Operations segment revenues and is expected to approximate $129.7 million annually. Transient RV revenue was recognized 20.2 percent in the first quarter, and is expected to be 23.0 percent, 41.5 percent, and 15.3 percent in the second, third, and fourth quarters, respectively. Transient revenue was $106.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. We recognized 20.7 percent in the first quarter, 20.3 percent in the second quarter, 42.6 percent in the third quarter, and 16.4 percent in the fourth quarter.

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



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019									Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	Real Property Operations			Home Sales and Rentals			Consolidated			Real Property Operations			Home Sales and Rentals			Consolidated
Revenues	$	225,261		$	53,589		$	278,850		$	203,779		$	47,920		$	251,699
Operating expenses/Cost of sales	80,340			34,065			114,405			70,849			31,798			102,647
Net operating income/Gross profit	144,921			19,524			164,445			132,930			16,122			149,052
Adjustments to arrive at net income / (loss):
Interest and other revenues, net	8,480			—			8,480			6,276			—			6,276
Home selling expenses	—			(3,324		)	(3,324		)	—			(3,290		)	(3,290		)
General and administrative	(19,234		)	(2,653		)	(21,887		)	(17,187		)	(2,570		)	(19,757		)
Depreciation and amortization	(58,245		)	(18,311		)	(76,556		)	(50,508		)	(15,929		)	(66,437		)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(653		)	—			(653		)	(196		)	—			(196		)
Interest	(34,010		)	(4		)	(34,014		)	(31,134		)	(4		)	(31,138		)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity	(1,094		)	—			(1,094		)	(619		)	—			(619		)
Catastrophic weather related charges, net	(782		)	—			(782		)	2,357			(144		)	2,213
Remeasurement of marketable securities	267			—			267			—			—			—
Income / (loss) from nonconsolidated affiliates	—			344			344			—			(59		)	(59		)
Other income / (expense), net	1,860			38			1,898			(2,616		)	(1		)	(2,617		)
Current tax expense	(122		)	(92		)	(214		)	(96		)	(78		)	(174		)
Deferred tax benefit	217			—			217			347			—			347
Net income / (loss)	41,605			(4,478		)	37,127			39,554			(5,953		)	33,601
Less: Preferred return to preferred OP units / equity	1,323			—			1,323			1,080			—			1,080
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,259			(218		)	1,041			2,394			(300		)	2,094
Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	39,023			(4,260		)	34,763			36,080			(5,653		)	30,427
Less: Preferred stock distributions	432			—			432			441			—			441
Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	38,591		$	(4,260	)	$	34,331		$	35,639		$	(5,653	)	$	29,986



	March 31, 2019								December 31, 2018
	Real Property Operations				Home Sales and Rentals		Consolidated		Real Property Operations		Home Sales and Rentals		Consolidated
Identifiable assets:
Investment property, net	$	5,929,030			$	542,226	$	6,471,256	$	5,586,444	$	531,872	$	6,118,316
Cash and cash equivalents	(7,233		)		29,179		21,946		24,343		25,968		50,311
Marketable securities	50,501			—	—		50,501		49,037		—		49,037
Inventory of manufactured homes	—				52,993		52,993		—		49,199		49,199
Notes and other receivables, net	163,362				16,452		179,814		145,673		14,404		160,077
Collateralized receivables, net	101,938				—		101,938		106,924		—		106,924
Other assets, net	165,743				54,471		220,214		140,027		36,135		176,162
Total assets	$	6,403,341			$	695,321	$	7,098,662	$	6,052,448	$	657,578	$	6,710,026

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Mar. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We have elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) pursuant to Section 856(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”). In order for us to qualify as a REIT, at least 95 percent of our gross income in any year must be derived from qualifying sources. In addition, a REIT must distribute annually at least 90 percent of its REIT taxable income (calculated without any deduction for dividends paid and excluding capital gain) to its stockholders and meet other tests. Qualification as a REIT involves the satisfaction of numerous requirements (on an annual and quarterly basis) established under highly technical and complex Code provisions for which there are limited judicial or administrative interpretations, and involves the determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within our control. In addition, frequent changes occur in the area of REIT taxation which requires us to continually monitor our tax status. We analyzed the various REIT tests and confirmed that we continued to qualify as a REIT for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to United States (“U.S.”) federal income taxes at the corporate level on the ordinary taxable income we distribute to our stockholders as dividends. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, our taxable income could be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates. Even if we qualify as a REIT, we may be subject to certain state and local income taxes as well as U.S. federal income and excise taxes on our undistributed income. In addition, taxable income from non-REIT activities managed through taxable REIT subsidiaries is subject to federal, state, and local income taxes. The Company is also subject to local income taxes in Canada as a result of the acquisition 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 of the U.S. Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the bases of such assets and liabilities as measured by tax laws. Deferred tax assets are reduced, if necessary, by a valuation allowance to the amount where realization is more likely than not assured after considering all available evidence. Our temporary differences primarily relate to net operating loss carryforwards, depreciation and basis differences between tax and U.S. GAAP on our Canadian investments. Our deferred tax assets that have a full valuation allowance relate to our taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRS”) business. Net deferred tax liabilities of $20.3 million for Canadian entities have been recorded in relation to corporate entities and included in “Other liabilities” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019. Net deferred tax liabilities of $21.6 million (Canada) and $0.1 million (U.S.) have been recorded in relation to corporate entities and included in “Other liabilities” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2018. There are no U.S. federal deferred tax assets or liabilities included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. We had no unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2019 and 2018. We do not expect significant changes in tax positions that would result in unrecognized tax benefits within one year of March 31, 2019. We recorded a current tax expense for federal, state, and Canadian income taxes of $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and a current tax expense of approximately $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, we recorded a deferred tax benefit of $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

Earnings Per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

We have outstanding stock options, unvested restricted common shares, 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; Series D 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):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
Numerator	2019			2018
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	34,331		$	29,986
Allocation to restricted stock awards	(437		)	(303		)
Basic earnings: Net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation	33,894			29,683
Allocation to restricted stock awards	437			303
Diluted earnings: Net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation	$	34,331		$	29,986

Denominator
Weighted average common shares outstanding	85,520			78,855
Add: dilutive stock options	1			2
Add: dilutive restricted stock	512			607
Diluted weighted average common shares and securities	86,033			79,464
Earnings per share available to common stockholders after allocation:
Basic	$	0.40		$	0.38
Diluted	$	0.40		$	0.38

We have excluded certain convertible 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 as of March 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):



	As of March 31,
	2019	2018
Common OP units	2,719	2,739
Series A-4 preferred stock	1,063	1,085
Series A-3 preferred OP units	40	40
Series A-1 preferred OP units	328	342
Series D preferred OP units	489	—
Aspen preferred OP units	1,284	1,284
Series A-4 preferred OP units	410	422
Series C preferred OP units	314	316
Total securities	6,647	6,228

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

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,” requires disclosure regarding determination of fair value for assets and liabilities and establishes a hierarchy under which these assets and liabilities must be grouped, based on significant levels of observable or unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumption. This hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. These two types of inputs have created the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1—Quoted unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets;

Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and

Level 3—Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

We utilize fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. The following methods and assumptions were used in order to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

Marketable Securities

In November 2018, we purchased marketable securities on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”) for total consideration of $54 million US. The marketable securities held by us accounted for under the ASC 321 “Investment Equity Securities” are measured at fair value. Any change in fair value is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in Remeasurement of marketable securities in accordance with ASU 2016-01 “Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities.” The fair value is measured by the quoted unadjusted share price of which is readily available in active markets (Level 1).

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 to Note 5, “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 9, “Debt and Lines of Credit.”

Collateralized Receivables and Secured Borrowings

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 4, “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 fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2019. The table presents the carrying values and fair values of our financial instruments as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, 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 as the carrying values associated with these instruments approximate fair value since their maturities are less than one year.



	March 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
Financial assets	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Marketable securities	$	50,501	$	50,501	$	49,037	$	49,037
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net	$	109,256	$	109,256	$	112,798	$	112,798
Collateralized receivables, net	$	101,938	$	101,938	$	106,924	$	106,924
Financial liabilities
Debt (excluding secured borrowings)	$	2,948,929	$	2,906,358	$	2,888,572	$	2,757,649
Secured borrowings	$	102,676	$	102,676	$	107,731	$	107,731
Lines of credit	$	396,512	$	396,512	$	128,000	$	128,000
Other liabilities (contingent consideration)	$	4,702	$	4,702	$	4,640	$	4,640

- 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

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASC 2016-02 codified in ASC Topic 842, Leases, which amends the guidance in former ASC Topic 840, Leases. On January 1, 2019, we adopted ASC 2016-02. The new standard increases transparency and comparability most significantly by requiring the recognition by lessees of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for those leases classified as operating leases and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. As amended by ASU 2018-11, comparative reporting periods are presented in accordance with Topic 840, while periods subsequent to the effective date are presented in accordance with Topic 842. The Company elected the package of practical expedients, which permits the Company not to reassess expired or existing contracts containing a lease, the lease classification for expired or existing contracts, initial direct costs for any existing leases. The Company elected not to allocate lease obligation between lease and non-lease components of our agreements for both leases where we are a lessor and leases where we are a lessee. The Company did not elect the hindsight practical expedient, which permits the company to use hindsight in determining the lease terms and impairment implications. The Company did not elect to use a portfolio approach in the valuation of ROU assets and corresponding liabilities. Some ROU assets include an extension option, which is included in the ROU assets and liabilities only if we are reasonably certain to exercise.

Lessor Accounting

Our income from real property and rental home revenue streams are derived from rental agreements where we are the lessor. Our recognition of rental revenue remains mainly consistent with previous guidance, apart from the narrower definition of initial direct costs that can be capitalized. Our leases with customers are classified as operating leases and rental revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the customer lease term.

ASC 842 limits the definition of initial direct costs to only the incremental costs of signing a lease. Internal sales employees’ compensation, payroll-related fringe benefits, certain legal fees rendered prior to the execution of a lease, negotiation costs, advertising and other origination effort costs no longer meet the definition of initial direct costs under the new standard, and will be accounted for as general and administrative expense in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. ASC 842 permits the capitalization of direct commission costs. The application of ASC 842 resulted in an immaterial impact on the statement of consolidated operations.

Lease income from tenants is recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the relevant lease agreement and is included within income from real property, rental home revenue and ancillary revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Revenue is not recognized when collection is not reasonably assured. When collectability is not reasonably assured, the resident is placed on non-accrual status and revenue is recognized when cash payments are received.

Lessee Accounting

We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Our operating lease agreements are primarily for executive office spaces, ground leases at certain communities, and certain equipment leases. The ROU asset and ROU liabilities are included within Other assets, net and Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

For operating leases with a term greater than one year, the company recognizes the ROU assets and liabilities related to the lease payments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The lease liabilities are initially and subsequently measured at the present value of the unpaid lease payments at the lease commencement date. The ROU assets represent our right to use the underlying assets for the term of the lease and the lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising for the agreements. The ROU asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for lease payments made at or before the lease commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred less any lease incentives received. The ROU asset is subsequently measured throughout the lease term at the carrying amount of the lease liability, plus unamortized initial direct costs, plus (minus) any prepaid (accrued) lease payments, less the unamortized balance of lease incentives received. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The ROU asset is periodically reduced by impairment losses. As of March 31, 2019, we have not encountered any impairment losses. Variable lease payments, except for the ones that depend on index or rate, are excluded from the calculation of the ROU assets and lease liabilities and are recognized as variable lease expense in the consolidated Statement of Operations in the period in which they are incurred. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Many of our lessee agreements include options to extend the lease, which we do not include in our minimum lease terms unless they are reasonably certain to be exercised. The Lease liability costs are amortized over the straight-line method over the term of the lease. Operating leases with a term of less than one year are recognized as a lease expense over the term of the lease, with no asset or liability recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Finance leases where we are the lessee are included in Other assets, net and Other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The lease liabilities are initially measured in the same manner as operating leases and are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. The ROU asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for lease payments made at or before the lease commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred less any lease incentives received. For finance leases the ROU asset is subsequently amortized using the straight-line method from the lease commencement date to the earlier of the end of its useful life or the end of the lease term unless the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to us, or we are reasonably certain to exercise an option to purchase the underlying asset. In those cases, the ROU asset is amortized over the useful life of the underlying asset. Amortization of the ROU asset is recognized and presented separately from interest expense on the lease liability. ROU assets are periodically reduced by impairment losses. As of March 31, 2019, we have not encountered any impairment losses. Refer to Refer to Note 18, “Leases,” for information regarding leasing activities.

On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” Refer to Note 2, “Revenue” for information regarding our adoption of this guidance.

On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2017-01 “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business” and now capitalize direct acquisition related costs as part of the purchase price of asset acquisitions. Under previous guidance, substantially all of our property acquisitions were accounted for as business combinations with identifiable assets and liabilities measured at fair value, and acquisition related costs expensed as incurred.

On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2016-18 “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash.” This update required 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.

Our restricted cash consists of amounts primarily held in deposit for tax, insurance and repair escrows held by lenders in accordance with certain debt agreements. Restricted cash is included as a component of Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in restricted cash are reported in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as operating, investing or financing activities based on the nature of the underlying activity.

The following table reconciles our beginning-of-period and end-of-period balances of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash for the periods shown (in thousands):



	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018		March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents	$	21,946	$	50,311	$	15,153	$	10,127
Restricted cash	12,229		11,951		12,271		13,382
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	34,175	$	62,262	$	27,424	$	23,509

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Not Yet Adopted

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.

Commitments And Contingencies	3 Months Ended
Commitments And Contingencies	Mar. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Legal Proceedings We are involved in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. All such proceedings, taken together, are not expected to have a material adverse impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

Leases

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

Lessee accounting:

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of the quarter ended March 31, 2019 where we are the lessee include:



	Operating Leases			Finance Leases
2019 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2019)	$	1,766		$	112
2020	2,397			120
2021	2,446			120
2022	2,483			120
2023	2,509			120
Thereafter	13,725			4,060
Total undiscounted lease payments	$	25,326		$	4,652
Less: Imputed interest	(6,213		)	(539		)
Total lease liabilities	$	19,113		$	4,113

ROU assets and lease liabilities from operating lease as included within other assets, net and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet were $47.7 million and $19.1 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2019. ROU assets from below market leases included within other assets, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheet was $29.1 as of December 31, 2018. No lease liabilities for operating leases were recognized as of December 31, 2018.

ROU assets and lease liabilities from finance lease as included within land and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were $4.1 million respectively as of March 31, 2019. Capital lease assets and liabilities from finance lease as included within land and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were $4.1 million respectively as of December 31, 2018.

Lease expense, as included in our consolidated statement of operations for the respective periods and additional information regarding lease terms are as follows (in thousands except*):



	March 31, 2019				March 31, 2018
Lease expense				Lease expense
Finance lease expense:				Capital lease expense:
Amortization of right - of-use assets	$	18		Amortization of lease	$	18
Interest on lease liabilities	26			Interest on lease liabilities	26
Operating lease expense	822			Operating lease expense	851
Variable lease expense	319			Below market ground lease amortization expense	223
Total lease expense	1,185				267

Other information				Other information
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities				Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flow used for operating leases	450			Operating cash flow used for operating leases	549
Financing cash flow used for finance leases	8			Financing cash flow used for finance leases	8
Right of use asset obtained (land) in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	4,116

	March 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
Right of use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	18,775
Right of use asset obtained relative to below market operating leases	28,930			Below market ground lease intangibles asset	29,118
Total right of use asset from operating leases	47,705

Weighted - average remaining lease term - finance leases (in years)*	5.25
Weighted - average remaining lease term - operating leases (in years)*	13.56
Weighted - average discount rate - finance leases (annual)*	2.50		%
Weighted - average discount rate - operating leases (annual)*	4.11		%

As of the quarter ended March 31, 2019, we have an additional executive office space operating lease that has not yet commenced of $2.9 million. The lease will commence in November 2019 with a lease term of seven years.

Related Party Leases: Lease of Executive Offices. Gary A. Shiffman, together with certain of his family members, indirectly owns an equity interest of approximately 28.1 percent in American Center LLC, the entity from which we lease office space for our principal executive offices. Each of Brian M. Hermelin, Ronald A. Klein and Arthur A. Weiss indirectly owns a less than one percent interest in American Center LLC. Mr. Shiffman is our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Each of Mr. Hermelin, Mr. Klein and Mr. Weiss is a director of the Company. Under this agreement, we lease approximately 103,100 rentable square feet of permanent space. The initial term of the lease is until October 31, 2026, and the average gross base rent is $18.55 per square foot until October 31, 2019 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.

Lessor Accounting:

We are not the lessor for any finance leases as of March 31, 2019. Over 99% of our operating leases where we are the lessor are either month to month or for a time period not to exceed one year. As of the reporting date, future minimum lease payments would

not exceed twelve months. Similarly, over 95% of our investment property, net on the Consolidated balance sheets, and related depreciation amounts, relate to assets whereby we are the lessor under an operating lease.

Leases

Lessee accounting:

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of the quarter ended March 31, 2019 where we are the lessee include:



	Operating Leases			Finance Leases
2019 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2019)	$	1,766		$	112
2020	2,397			120
2021	2,446			120
2022	2,483			120
2023	2,509			120
Thereafter	13,725			4,060
Total undiscounted lease payments	$	25,326		$	4,652
Less: Imputed interest	(6,213		)	(539		)
Total lease liabilities	$	19,113		$	4,113

Lease expense, as included in our consolidated statement of operations for the respective periods and additional information regarding lease terms are as follows (in thousands except*):



	March 31, 2019				March 31, 2018
Lease expense				Lease expense
Finance lease expense:				Capital lease expense:
Amortization of right - of-use assets	$	18		Amortization of lease	$	18
Interest on lease liabilities	26			Interest on lease liabilities	26
Operating lease expense	822			Operating lease expense	851
Variable lease expense	319			Below market ground lease amortization expense	223
Total lease expense	1,185				267

Other information				Other information
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities				Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flow used for operating leases	450			Operating cash flow used for operating leases	549
Financing cash flow used for finance leases	8			Financing cash flow used for finance leases	8
Right of use asset obtained (land) in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	4,116

	March 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
Right of use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	18,775
Right of use asset obtained relative to below market operating leases	28,930			Below market ground lease intangibles asset	29,118
Total right of use asset from operating leases	47,705

Weighted - average remaining lease term - finance leases (in years)*	5.25
Weighted - average remaining lease term - operating leases (in years)*	13.56
Weighted - average discount rate - finance leases (annual)*	2.50		%
Weighted - average discount rate - operating leases (annual)*	4.11		%

Lessor Accounting:

Leases

Lessee accounting:

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of the quarter ended March 31, 2019 where we are the lessee include:



	Operating Leases			Finance Leases
2019 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2019)	$	1,766		$	112
2020	2,397			120
2021	2,446			120
2022	2,483			120
2023	2,509			120
Thereafter	13,725			4,060
Total undiscounted lease payments	$	25,326		$	4,652
Less: Imputed interest	(6,213		)	(539		)
Total lease liabilities	$	19,113		$	4,113

Lease expense, as included in our consolidated statement of operations for the respective periods and additional information regarding lease terms are as follows (in thousands except*):



	March 31, 2019				March 31, 2018
Lease expense				Lease expense
Finance lease expense:				Capital lease expense:
Amortization of right - of-use assets	$	18		Amortization of lease	$	18
Interest on lease liabilities	26			Interest on lease liabilities	26
Operating lease expense	822			Operating lease expense	851
Variable lease expense	319			Below market ground lease amortization expense	223
Total lease expense	1,185				267

Other information				Other information
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities				Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flow used for operating leases	450			Operating cash flow used for operating leases	549
Financing cash flow used for finance leases	8			Financing cash flow used for finance leases	8
Right of use asset obtained (land) in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	4,116

	March 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
Right of use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	18,775
Right of use asset obtained relative to below market operating leases	28,930			Below market ground lease intangibles asset	29,118
Total right of use asset from operating leases	47,705

Weighted - average remaining lease term - finance leases (in years)*	5.25
Weighted - average remaining lease term - operating leases (in years)*	13.56
Weighted - average discount rate - finance leases (annual)*	2.50		%
Weighted - average discount rate - operating leases (annual)*	4.11		%

Lessor Accounting:

Subsequent Event	3 Months Ended
Subsequent Event	Mar. 31, 2019
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	Subsequent Events Subsequent to the quarter ended March 31, 2019, we acquired a RV community located in New Hampshire for $2.7 million. We have evaluated our Consolidated Financial Statements for subsequent events through the date that this Form 10-Q was issued.

Revenue (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following tables details our revenue by major source (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019						Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	Real Property Operations		Home Sales and Rentals		Consolidated		Real Property Operations		Home Sales and Rentals		Consolidated
REVENUE
Income from real property	$	216,779	$	—	$	216,779	$	197,211	$	—	$	197,211
Revenue from home sales	—		39,618		39,618		—		34,900		34,900
Rental home revenue	—		13,971		13,971		—		13,020		13,020
Ancillary revenues	8,482		—		8,482		6,568		—		6,568
Interest	4,800		—		4,800		5,316		—		5,316
Brokerage commissions and other revenues, net	3,680		—		3,680		960		—		960
Total revenue	$	233,741	$	53,589	$	287,330	$	210,055	$	47,920	$	257,975

Real Estate Acquisitions (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition

In 2019 we acquired the following communities:

Community Name

Type

Sites

Development Sites

State

Month Acquired

Massey’s Landing RV

291

—

February

Shelby Properties⁽¹⁾

1,308

—

February

Buena Vista

400

—

February

Country Village Estates ⁽²⁾

518

—

January

Hid’n Pines RV

321

—

January

Hacienda del Rio

MH (Age-Restricted)

730

January

Total

3,568

⁽¹⁾ Contains two MH communities.

⁽²⁾ In conjunction with the acquisition, we issued Series D Preferred Operating Partnership (“OP”) Units. As of March 31, 2019, 488,958 Series D Preferred OP Units were outstanding.In 2018 we acquired the following communities:

Community Name

Type

Sites

Development Sites

State

Month Acquired

Leaf Verde RV Resort

376

—

October

Archview

114

August

Petoskey KOA

210

—

August

The Sands RV and Golf Resort

RV (Age Restricted)

507

—

July

Sun NG RV Resorts LLC ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾

2,700

940

Various

June

Silver Creek

264

176

June

Highway West ⁽¹⁾

536

—

UT & OR

June

Compass RV

175

—

May

Total

4,882

1,166

⁽¹⁾Highway West and Sun NG RV Resorts LLC are comprised of 4 RV and 10 RV resorts, respectively.

In 2018, we acquired the following land for expansion / development:



Name	Location	Type	Expansion / Development Sites	Cost (millions)		Month Acquired
Ocean West	McKinleyville, CA	MH	26	$	0.2	December
Water Oak Country Club Estates	Lady Lake, FL	MH	296	$	1.9	November
Oak Crest	Austin, TX	MH	220	$	4.2	October
Pecan Park	Jacksonville, FL	RV	158	$	1.3	September
Smith Creek Crossing	Granby, CO	MH	310	$	0.9	September
Apple Carr	Egelston, MI	MH	121	$	0.2	May
River Run Ranch	Granby, CO	MH / RV	1,144	$	5.3	May
		Total	2,275	$	14.0

Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation



At Acquisition Date ⁽¹⁾	Massey's Landing			Shelby Properties			Buena Vista			Country Village		Hid'n Pines			Hacienda del Rio			Total
Investment in property	$	20,000		$	85,969		$	20,221		$	62,784	$	10,680		$	111,971		$	311,625
Inventory of manufactured homes	—			2,011			439			—		—			15			2,465
In-place leases and other intangible assets	—			6,520			1,590			2,020		70			3,280			13,480
Other assets (liabilities), net	(446		)	(1,015		)	(93		)	31		(233		)	(237		)	(1,993		)
Total identifiable assets acquired net of liabilities assumed	$	19,554		$	93,485		$	22,157		$	64,835	$	10,517		$	115,029		$	325,577


Consideration
Cash and escrow	$	19,554		$	93,485		$	22,157		$	12,905	$	10,517		$	115,029		$	273,647
Series D Preferred OP units	—			—			—			51,930		—			—			51,930
Total consideration	$	19,554		$	93,485		$	22,157		$	64,835	$	10,517		$	115,029		$	325,577

⁽¹⁾ The purchase price allocations are preliminary and may be adjusted as final valuations are determined.The following table summarizes the amounts of assets acquired net of liabilities assumed at the acquisition date and the consideration paid for the acquisitions completed in 2018 (in thousands):



At Acquisition Date	Leaf Verde		Archview		Petoskey KOA		Sands		Sun NG Resorts			Silver Creek		Highway West		Compass		Total
Investment in property	$	11,587	$	14,550	$	8,730	$	13,790	$	240,649		$	7,250	$	36,500	$	13,930	$	346,986
In-place leases and other intangible assets	60		—		270		460		16,339			—		—		70		17,199
Debt assumed	—		—		—		—		(3,120		)	—		—		—		(3,120		)
Other liabilities, net	—		—		—		—		(11,990		)	—		—		—		(11,990		)
Total identifiable assets acquired net of liabilities assumed	$	11,647	$	14,550	$	9,000	$	14,250	$	241,878		$	7,250	$	36,500	$	14,000	$	349,075

Consideration
Cash	$	11,647	$	14,550	$	9,000	$	14,250	$	184,625		$	7,250	$	36,500	$	14,000	$	291,822
Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts	—		—		—		—		35,277			—		—		—		35,277
Equity Interests - NG Sun LLC	—		—		—		—		21,976			—		—		—		21,976
Total consideration	$	11,647	$	14,550	$	9,000	$	14,250	$	241,878		$	7,250	$	36,500	$	14,000	$	349,075

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	(unaudited)
Total revenues	$	3,764
Net income	$	1,317



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	(unaudited)
	2019		2018
Total revenues	$	289,253	$	263,706
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	34,885	$	31,732
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic	$	0.41	$	0.40
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted	$	0.41	$	0.40

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]

Repurchase price percentage



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

Schedule of collateralized loans



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Beginning balance	$	107,731
Principal payments and payoffs from our customers	(3,109		)
Principal reduction from repurchased homes	(1,946		)
Total activity	(5,055		)
Ending balance	$	102,676

Collateralized Receivables [Member]

Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]

Allowance for collateralized and installment notes receivable

The following table sets forth the allowance for the collateralized receivables as of March 31, 2019 (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Beginning balance	$	(807	)
Lower of cost or market write-downs	45
Decrease to reserve balance	24
Total activity	69
Ending balance	$	(738	)

Notes And Other Receivables (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]

Schedule of notes and other receivables

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



	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net	$	109,256	$	112,798
Other receivables, net	70,558		47,279
Total notes and other receivables, net	$	179,814	$	160,077

Schedule of Installment Notes Receivable

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



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Beginning balance	$	113,495
Investment in installment notes	63
Principal payments and payoffs from customers	(1,653		)
Principal reduction from repossessed homes	(1,994		)
Total activity	(3,584		)
Ending balance	$	109,911

Installment Notes Receivable [Member]

Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]

Allowance for collateralized and installment notes receivable

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



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Beginning balance	$	(697	)
Lower of cost or market write-downs	57
Increase to reserve balance	(15		)
Total activity	42
Ending balance	$	(655	)

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets

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



		March 31, 2019					December 31, 2018
Intangible Asset	Useful Life	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
In-place leases	7 years	117,544		(62,740		)	103,547		(59,068		)
Franchise agreements and other intangible assets	7-20 years	16,944		(2,146		)	16,641		(1,942		)
Total		$	134,488	$	(64,886	)	$	120,188	$	(61,010	)

Schedule of Intangible Assets Amortization Expense

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



	Three Months Ended March 31,
Intangible Asset	2019		2018
In-place leases	3,672		3,490
Franchise agreements and other intangible assets	205		19
Total	$	3,877	$	3,509

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense

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



	Year
	Remainder of 2019		2020		2021		2022		2023
Estimated expense	$	11,850	$	14,144	$	13,752	$	9,151	$	5,776

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

DisclosureofVariableInterestEntities [Abstract]

Schedule of Variable Interest Entities

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



	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
ASSETS
Investment property, net	$	314,669	$	308,171
Other assets, net	22,369		19,809
Total Assets	$	337,038	$	327,980

LIABILITIES AND OTHER EQUITY
Debt	$	43,913	$	44,172
Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts - mandatorily redeemable	35,249		35,277
Other liabilities	21,049		6,914
Total Liabilities	100,211		86,363
Equity Interests - NG Sun LLC	22,167		21,976
Noncontrolling interests	6,198		7,145
Total Liabilities and Other Equity	$	128,576	$	115,484

- 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)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of debt and lines of credit [Table Text Block]

The following table sets forth certain information regarding debt including premiums, discounts and deferred financing costs (in thousands):



	Carrying Amount				Weighted Average Years to Maturity		Weighted Average Interest Rates
	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018		March 31, 2019	December 31, 2018	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Collateralized term loans - Life Companies	$	1,330,591	$	1,259,158	16.7	14.4	4.0	%	3.9	%
Collateralized term loans - FNMA	765,391		770,417		4.9	5.1	4.4	%	4.4	%
Collateralized term loans - CMBS	403,878		405,702		3.8	4.1	5.1	%	5.1	%
Collateralized term loans - FMCC	379,157		380,680		5.6	5.9	3.9	%	3.9	%
Secured borrowings	102,676		107,731		14.2	14.4	9.9	%	9.9	%
Lines of credit	396,512		128,000		2.1	2.3	3.7	%	3.8	%
Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts - mandatorily redeemable	35,249		35,277		3.5	3.8	6.0	%	6.0	%
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	34,663		37,338		4.8	4.7	6.5	%	6.6	%
Total debt	$	3,448,117	$	3,124,303	9.3	9.0	4.4	%	4.5	%

Equity and Temporary Equity (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Sale of Common Stock

ssuances of common stock under the Sales Agreement during 2019.

Activity of Conversions



		Three Months Ended March 31, 2019		Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Series	Conversion Rate	Units/Shares Converted	Common Stock	Units/Shares Converted	Common Stock
Common OP unit	1	6,533	6,533	6,777	6,777
Series A-1 preferred OP unit	2.439	3,950	9,633	3,700	9,023
Series A-4 preferred OP unit	0.4444	—	—	2,373	1,054

Schedule of Dividends Payable



Cash Distributions	Record Date	Payment Date	Distribution per Share		Total Distribution (thousands)
Common Stock, Common OP units and Restricted Stock	3/29/2019	4/15/2019	$	0.75	$	66,886
Series A-4 Preferred Stock	3/15/2019	4/1/2019	$	0.40625	$	432

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Schedule of Restricted Stock Granted

The following table shows details on grants of equity awards during the three months ended March 31, 2019:



Grant Period	Type	Plan	Shares Granted	Grant Date Fair Value Per Share			Vesting Type	Vesting Anniversary	Percentage

2019	Executive Officers	2015 Equity Incentive Plan	44,000	$	115.39	(1)	Time Based	20.0% annually over 5 years
2019	Executive Officers	2015 Equity Incentive Plan	66,000	$	86.71	(2)	Market Condition	3rd	100.0	%
2019	Directors	2004 Non-Employee Director Option Plan	18,000	$	113.68	(1)	Time Based	3rd	100.0	%

⁽¹⁾The fair value of the grants were determined by using the average closing price of our common stock on the dates the shares were issued.

Segment Reporting (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment

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



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019									Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	Real Property Operations			Home Sales and Rentals			Consolidated			Real Property Operations			Home Sales and Rentals			Consolidated
Revenues	$	225,261		$	53,589		$	278,850		$	203,779		$	47,920		$	251,699
Operating expenses/Cost of sales	80,340			34,065			114,405			70,849			31,798			102,647
Net operating income/Gross profit	144,921			19,524			164,445			132,930			16,122			149,052
Adjustments to arrive at net income / (loss):
Interest and other revenues, net	8,480			—			8,480			6,276			—			6,276
Home selling expenses	—			(3,324		)	(3,324		)	—			(3,290		)	(3,290		)
General and administrative	(19,234		)	(2,653		)	(21,887		)	(17,187		)	(2,570		)	(19,757		)
Depreciation and amortization	(58,245		)	(18,311		)	(76,556		)	(50,508		)	(15,929		)	(66,437		)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(653		)	—			(653		)	(196		)	—			(196		)
Interest	(34,010		)	(4		)	(34,014		)	(31,134		)	(4		)	(31,138		)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity	(1,094		)	—			(1,094		)	(619		)	—			(619		)
Catastrophic weather related charges, net	(782		)	—			(782		)	2,357			(144		)	2,213
Remeasurement of marketable securities	267			—			267			—			—			—
Income / (loss) from nonconsolidated affiliates	—			344			344			—			(59		)	(59		)
Other income / (expense), net	1,860			38			1,898			(2,616		)	(1		)	(2,617		)
Current tax expense	(122		)	(92		)	(214		)	(96		)	(78		)	(174		)
Deferred tax benefit	217			—			217			347			—			347
Net income / (loss)	41,605			(4,478		)	37,127			39,554			(5,953		)	33,601
Less: Preferred return to preferred OP units / equity	1,323			—			1,323			1,080			—			1,080
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,259			(218		)	1,041			2,394			(300		)	2,094
Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	39,023			(4,260		)	34,763			36,080			(5,653		)	30,427
Less: Preferred stock distributions	432			—			432			441			—			441
Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	38,591		$	(4,260	)	$	34,331		$	35,639		$	(5,653	)	$	29,986

Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated



	March 31, 2019								December 31, 2018
	Real Property Operations				Home Sales and Rentals		Consolidated		Real Property Operations		Home Sales and Rentals		Consolidated
Identifiable assets:
Investment property, net	$	5,929,030			$	542,226	$	6,471,256	$	5,586,444	$	531,872	$	6,118,316
Cash and cash equivalents	(7,233		)		29,179		21,946		24,343		25,968		50,311
Marketable securities	50,501			—	—		50,501		49,037		—		49,037
Inventory of manufactured homes	—				52,993		52,993		—		49,199		49,199
Notes and other receivables, net	163,362				16,452		179,814		145,673		14,404		160,077
Collateralized receivables, net	101,938				—		101,938		106,924		—		106,924
Other assets, net	165,743				54,471		220,214		140,027		36,135		176,162
Total assets	$	6,403,341			$	695,321	$	7,098,662	$	6,052,448	$	657,578	$	6,710,026

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

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

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



	Three Months Ended March 31,
Numerator	2019			2018
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	34,331		$	29,986
Allocation to restricted stock awards	(437		)	(303		)
Basic earnings: Net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation	33,894			29,683
Allocation to restricted stock awards	437			303
Diluted earnings: Net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation	$	34,331		$	29,986

Denominator
Weighted average common shares outstanding	85,520			78,855
Add: dilutive stock options	1			2
Add: dilutive restricted stock	512			607
Diluted weighted average common shares and securities	86,033			79,464
Earnings per share available to common stockholders after allocation:
Basic	$	0.40		$	0.38
Diluted	$	0.40		$	0.38

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

The following table presents the outstanding securities that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as of March 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):



	As of March 31,
	2019	2018
Common OP units	2,719	2,739
Series A-4 preferred stock	1,063	1,085
Series A-3 preferred OP units	40	40
Series A-1 preferred OP units	328	342
Series D preferred OP units	489	—
Aspen preferred OP units	1,284	1,284
Series A-4 preferred OP units	410	422
Series C preferred OP units	314	316
Total securities	6,647	6,228

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping



	March 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
Financial assets	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Marketable securities	$	50,501	$	50,501	$	49,037	$	49,037
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net	$	109,256	$	109,256	$	112,798	$	112,798
Collateralized receivables, net	$	101,938	$	101,938	$	106,924	$	106,924
Financial liabilities
Debt (excluding secured borrowings)	$	2,948,929	$	2,906,358	$	2,888,572	$	2,757,649
Secured borrowings	$	102,676	$	102,676	$	107,731	$	107,731
Lines of credit	$	396,512	$	396,512	$	128,000	$	128,000
Other liabilities (contingent consideration)	$	4,702	$	4,702	$	4,640	$	4,640

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The following table reconciles our beginning-of-period and end-of-period balances of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash for the periods shown (in thousands):



	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018		March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents	$	21,946	$	50,311	$	15,153	$	10,127
Restricted cash	12,229		11,951		12,271		13,382
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	34,175	$	62,262	$	27,424	$	23,509

Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The following table reconciles our beginning-of-period and end-of-period balances of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash for the periods shown (in thousands):



	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018		March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents	$	21,946	$	50,311	$	15,153	$	10,127
Restricted cash	12,229		11,951		12,271		13,382
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	34,175	$	62,262	$	27,424	$	23,509

Leases (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Leases [Abstract]

Lease, Cost [Table Text Block]

Lease expense, as included in our consolidated statement of operations for the respective periods and additional information regarding lease terms are as follows (in thousands except*):



	March 31, 2019				March 31, 2018
Lease expense				Lease expense
Finance lease expense:				Capital lease expense:
Amortization of right - of-use assets	$	18		Amortization of lease	$	18
Interest on lease liabilities	26			Interest on lease liabilities	26
Operating lease expense	822			Operating lease expense	851
Variable lease expense	319			Below market ground lease amortization expense	223
Total lease expense	1,185				267

Other information				Other information
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities				Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flow used for operating leases	450			Operating cash flow used for operating leases	549
Financing cash flow used for finance leases	8			Financing cash flow used for finance leases	8
Right of use asset obtained (land) in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	4,116

	March 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
Right of use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	18,775
Right of use asset obtained relative to below market operating leases	28,930			Below market ground lease intangibles asset	29,118
Total right of use asset from operating leases	47,705

Weighted - average remaining lease term - finance leases (in years)*	5.25
Weighted - average remaining lease term - operating leases (in years)*	13.56
Weighted - average discount rate - finance leases (annual)*	2.50		%
Weighted - average discount rate - operating leases (annual)*	4.11		%

Finance Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block]

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of the quarter ended March 31, 2019 where we are the lessee include:



	Operating Leases			Finance Leases
2019 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2019)	$	1,766		$	112
2020	2,397			120
2021	2,446			120
2022	2,483			120
2023	2,509			120
Thereafter	13,725			4,060
Total undiscounted lease payments	$	25,326		$	4,652
Less: Imputed interest	(6,213		)	(539		)
Total lease liabilities	$	19,113		$	4,113

Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block]

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of the quarter ended March 31, 2019 where we are the lessee include:



	Operating Leases			Finance Leases
2019 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2019)	$	1,766		$	112
2020	2,397			120
2021	2,446			120
2022	2,483			120
2023	2,509			120
Thereafter	13,725			4,060
Total undiscounted lease payments	$	25,326		$	4,652
Less: Imputed interest	(6,213		)	(539		)
Total lease liabilities	$	19,113		$	4,113

Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	$ 216,779	$ 197,211
Revenues	287,330	257,975
Income From Real Property [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	216,779	197,211
Revenue From Home Sales [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	39,618	34,900
Rental Home Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	13,971	13,020
Ancillary Revenues [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	8,482	6,568
Interest [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	4,800	5,316
Brokerage Commissions And Other Revenues, Net [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	3,680	960
Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	233,741	210,055
Real Property Operations Segment [Member] \| Income From Real Property [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	216,779	197,211
Real Property Operations Segment [Member] \| Revenue From Home Sales [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	0	0
Real Property Operations Segment [Member] \| Rental Home Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	0	0
Real Property Operations Segment [Member] \| Ancillary Revenues [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	8,482	6,568
Real Property Operations Segment [Member] \| Interest [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	4,800	5,316
Real Property Operations Segment [Member] \| Brokerage Commissions And Other Revenues, Net [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	3,680	960
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	53,589	47,920
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] \| Income From Real Property [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	0	0
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] \| Revenue From Home Sales [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	39,618	34,900
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] \| Rental Home Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	13,971	13,020
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] \| Ancillary Revenues [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	0	0
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] \| Interest [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	0	0
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] \| Brokerage Commissions And Other Revenues, Net [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	$ 0	$ 0

Revenue Contract Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Revenue Contract Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Contract with Customer, Asset, Reclassified to Receivable	$ 18.0	$ 16.1

Real Estate Acquisitions, Schedule of Properties Acquired (Details)	Mar. 31, 2019 site development_site shares	Dec. 31, 2018 site development_site
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site	3,568	4,882
Development Sites \| development_site	70	1,166
Massey's Landing [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site	291
Development Sites \| development_site	0
Leaf Verde RV Resort [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site		376
Development Sites \| development_site		0
Archview [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site		114
Development Sites \| development_site		50
Petoskey RV Resort [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site		210
Development Sites \| development_site		0
The Sands [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site		507
Development Sites \| development_site		0
Sun NG RV Resorts [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site		2,700
Development Sites \| development_site		940
Silver Creek [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site		264
Development Sites \| development_site		176
Highway West [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site		536
Development Sites \| development_site		0
Compass [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site		175
Development Sites \| development_site		0
Shelby Properties [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site	1,308
Development Sites \| development_site	0
Buena Vista [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site	400
Development Sites \| development_site	0
Country Village [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site	518
Development Sites \| development_site	0
Hid'n Pines [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site	321
Development Sites \| development_site	0
Hacienda del Rio [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site	730
Development Sites \| development_site	70
Series D Preferred OP Units
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Shares outstanding \| shares	488,958

Real Estate Acquisitions, Schedule of Other Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs	$ 5,100
At acquistion date
Investment in property	311,625	$ 346,986
Inventory of manufactured homes	2,465
In-place leases and other intangible assets	13,480	17,199
Other assets (liabilities), net	(1,993)	(11,990)
Debt assumed		(3,120)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	325,577	349,075
Consideration
Cash	273,647	291,822
Equity	51,930	35,277
Total consideration transferred	325,577	349,075
sui_chulavistamember [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property	300
Massey's Landing [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property	20,000
Inventory of manufactured homes	0
In-place leases and other intangible assets	0
Other assets (liabilities), net	(446)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	19,554
Consideration
Cash	19,554
Equity	0
Total consideration transferred	19,554
Shelby Properties [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property	85,969
Inventory of manufactured homes	2,011
In-place leases and other intangible assets	6,520
Other assets (liabilities), net	(1,015)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	93,485
Consideration
Cash	93,485
Equity	0
Total consideration transferred	93,485
Silver Creek [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property		7,250
In-place leases and other intangible assets		0
Other assets (liabilities), net		0
Debt assumed		0
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		7,250
Consideration
Cash		7,250
Equity		0
Total consideration transferred		7,250
Highway West [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property		36,500
In-place leases and other intangible assets		0
Other assets (liabilities), net		0
Debt assumed		0
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		36,500
Consideration
Cash		36,500
Equity		0
Total consideration transferred		36,500
Compass [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property		13,930
In-place leases and other intangible assets		70
Other assets (liabilities), net		0
Debt assumed		0
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		14,000
Consideration
Cash		14,000
Equity		0
Total consideration transferred		14,000
Leaf Verde RV Resort [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property		11,587
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		11,647
Consideration
Cash		11,647
Total consideration transferred		11,647
Archview [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property		14,550
In-place leases and other intangible assets		0
Other assets (liabilities), net		0
Debt assumed		0
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		14,550
Consideration
Cash		14,550
Equity		0
Total consideration transferred		14,550
Petoskey RV Resort [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property		8,730
In-place leases and other intangible assets		270
Other assets (liabilities), net		0
Debt assumed		0
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		9,000
Consideration
Cash		9,000
Equity		0
Total consideration transferred		9,000
The Sands [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property		13,790
In-place leases and other intangible assets		460
Other assets (liabilities), net		0
Debt assumed		0
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		14,250
Consideration
Cash		14,250
Equity		0
Total consideration transferred		14,250
Sun NG RV Resorts [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property		240,649
In-place leases and other intangible assets		16,339
Other assets (liabilities), net		(11,990)
Debt assumed		(3,120)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		241,878
Consideration
Cash		184,625
Equity	35,277
Total consideration transferred		241,878
Buena Vista [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property	20,221
Inventory of manufactured homes	439
In-place leases and other intangible assets	1,590
Other assets (liabilities), net	(93)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	22,157
Consideration
Cash	22,157
Equity	0
Total consideration transferred	22,157
Country Village [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property	62,784
Inventory of manufactured homes	0
In-place leases and other intangible assets	2,020
Other assets (liabilities), net	31
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	64,835
Consideration
Cash	12,905
Equity	51,930
Total consideration transferred	64,835
Hid'n Pines [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property	10,680
Inventory of manufactured homes	0
In-place leases and other intangible assets	70
Other assets (liabilities), net	(233)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	10,517
Consideration
Cash	10,517
Equity	0
Total consideration transferred	10,517
Hacienda del Rio [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property	111,971
Inventory of manufactured homes	15
In-place leases and other intangible assets	3,280
Other assets (liabilities), net	(237)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	115,029
Consideration
Cash	115,029
Equity	0
Total consideration transferred	$ 115,029
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Consideration
Equity		21,976
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] \| Silver Creek [Member]
Consideration
Equity		0
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] \| Highway West [Member]
Consideration
Equity		0
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] \| Compass [Member]
Consideration
Equity		0
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] \| Archview [Member]
Consideration
Equity		0
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] \| Petoskey RV Resort [Member]
Consideration
Equity		0
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] \| The Sands [Member]
Consideration
Equity		0
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] \| Sun NG RV Resorts [Member]
Consideration
Equity		$ 21,976

Real Estate Acquisitions, Schedule of Land Acquired (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) development_site
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Development Sites \| development_site	2,275
Cost \| $	$ 14.0
Ocean West [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Development Sites \| development_site	26
Cost \| $	$ 0.2
Water Oak [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Development Sites \| development_site	296
Cost \| $	$ 1.9
Oak Crest [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Development Sites \| development_site	220
Cost \| $	$ 4.2
Pecan Park [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Development Sites \| development_site	158
Cost \| $	$ 1.3
Smith Creek Crossing [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Development Sites \| development_site	310
Cost \| $	$ 0.9
Apple Carr Village [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Development Sites \| development_site	121
Cost \| $	$ 0.2
River Run Ranch [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Development Sites \| development_site	1,144
Cost \| $	$ 5.3

Real Estate Acquisitions, Pro Forma (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 3,764
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	1,317
Acquisitions - 2019 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenues	289,253	$ 263,706
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$ 34,885	$ 31,732
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic	$ 0.41	$ 0.40
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted	$ 0.41	$ 0.40

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets, Repurchase price percentage (Details) - Collateralized Receivables [Member]	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Less than or equal to 15 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Repurchase Percentage	100.00%
Greater than 15 but less than 64 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Repurchase Percentage	90.00%
Equal to or greater than 64 but less than 120 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Repurchase Percentage	65.00%
120 or more [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Repurchase Percentage	50.00%

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets, Schedule of collateralized loans (Details) - Collateralized Receivables [Member] $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Principal payments and payoffs from our customers	$ (3,109)
Principal reduction from repurchased homes	1,946
Total activity	(5,055)
Ending balance	102,676
Secured Debt [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning balance	107,700
Ending balance	$ 102,676

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets, Allowance for Collateralized Receivables (Details) - Collateralized Receivables [Member] $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ (807)
Lower of cost or market write-downs	45
Increase to reserve balance	24
Total activity	69
Ending balance	$ (738)

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets, Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes and other receivables, net	$ 179,814		$ 160,077
Other Borrowings			107,731
Interest income and expense, net	2,400	$ 2,800
Collateralized Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	$ (738)		$ (807)
Receivable With Imputed Interest, Term	13 years 10 months 24 days		14 years 1 month 6 days
Financing Receivable, Gross	$ 102,676
Receivable with Imputed Interest, Effective Yield (Interest Rate)	9.90%
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Collateralized Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes and other receivables, net	$ 101,900		$ 106,900
Secured Debt [Member] \| Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Other Borrowings			107,731
Secured Debt [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Collateralized Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	$ 102,676		$ 107,700

Notes and Other Receivables, Schedule of notes and other receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total notes and other receivables, net	$ 179,814	$ 160,077
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total notes and other receivables, net	109,300	112,800
Other receivables, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total notes and other receivables, net	$ 70,558	47,279
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		$ 112,798

Notes And Other Receivables Notes and Other Receivables, Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net	$ 179,814	$ 160,077
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net	109,300	112,800
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	$ (700)	$ (700)
Receivable with Imputed Interest, Effective Yield (Interest Rate)	8.00%	8.00%
Receivable With Imputed Interest, Term	16 years 4 months 24 days	16 years 7 months 6 days
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net		$ 112,798
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net	$ 109,256	$ 112,798
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net	$ 109,256

Notes and Other Receivables, Schedule of installment notes receivable (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Collateralized receivables, net and Installment Notes Receivables on Manufactured Homes [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Increase to reserve balance	$ 15
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, gross [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning balance	113,495
Financed sales of manufactured homes	63
Principal payments and payoffs from our customers	(1,653)
Principal reduction from repossessed homes	1,994
Total activity	(3,584)
Ending balance	$ 109,911

Notes and Other Receivables, Allowance for installment notes receivable (Details) - Collateralized receivables, net and Installment Notes Receivables on Manufactured Homes [Member] $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 697
Lower of cost or market write-downs	57
Increase to reserve balance	15
Total activity	42
Ending balance	$ (655)

Notes And Other Receivables Notes and Other Receivables, Other receivables - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Other receivables for rent, water, sewer usage	$ 13.0	$ 7.1
Allowance for rent, water, sewer usage receivables		(1.5)
Contract with Customer, Asset, Reclassified to Receivable	18.0	16.1
Insurance receivables	18.5	$ 24.1
Other Receivables	$ 21.1

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets, Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 134,488	$ 120,188
Accumulated Amortization	$ (64,886)	(61,010)
Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	7 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 117,544	103,547
Accumulated Amortization	(62,740)	(59,068)
Franchise Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	16,944	16,641
Accumulated Amortization	$ (2,146)	$ (1,942)
Minimum [Member] \| Ground Leases [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	2 years
Minimum [Member] \| Franchise Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	7 years
Maximum [Member] \| Ground Leases [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	75 years
Maximum [Member] \| Franchise Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	20 years

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets, Schedule of Intangible Asset Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 3,877	$ 3,509
Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	3,672	3,490
Franchise Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 205	$ 19

Intangible Assets, Intangibles Future Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Remainder of 2019	$ 11,850
2018	14,144
2019	13,752
2020	9,151
2021	$ 5,776

Investment In Affiliates , Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Jan. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Nov. 30, 2018
RezPlot [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage			50.00%
Net income from investment	$ (0.2)
Investment carrying value	5.3
Sungenia JV [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage					50.00%
Net income from investment	(0.1)
Investment carrying value	$ 2.2			$ 0.7
GTSC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	40.00%
Net income from investment	$ 0.5	$ (0.1)
Investment carrying value	37.9			$ 29.8
Origen Financial Services [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage				22.90%
Net income from investment	0.1	$ 0.0
Investment carrying value	$ 0.1

- Definition

This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

+ References + Details

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities, Schedule of Variable Interest Entities (Details)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) properties site sites Rate	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) site Rate
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment property, net		$ 6,471,256,000	$ 6,118,316,000
Other assets, net (including $22,369 and $19,809 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)		220,214,000	176,162,000
Mortgage loans payable (including $43,913 and $44,172 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)		2,879,017,000	2,815,957,000
Other liabilities (including $21,049 and $6,914 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)		179,461,000	157,862,000
Liabilities		3,846,325,000	3,479,112,000
Consolidated variable interest entities		$ 6,198,000	$ 7,145,000
VIE as a Percentage of Consolidated Assets \| Rate		4.70%	4.90%
VIE as a Percentage of Consolidated Liabilities \| Rate		2.60%	2.60%
VIE as a Percentage of Total Equity		1.00%
Sites \| site		3,568	4,882
Cash		$ 273,647,000	$ 291,822,000
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment property, net		314,669,000	308,171,000
Other assets, net (including $22,369 and $19,809 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)		22,369,000	19,809,000
Total Assets		337,038,000	327,980,000
Mortgage loans payable (including $43,913 and $44,172 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)		43,913,000	44,172,000
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable		35,249,000	35,277,000
Other liabilities (including $21,049 and $6,914 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)		21,049,000	6,914,000
Liabilities		100,211,000	86,363,000
Equity Interests		22,167,000	21,976,000
Consolidated variable interest entities		6,198,000	7,145,000
Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity		128,576,000	$ 115,484,000
Northgate Additional Consideration [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash		$ 123,300,000
Northgate [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties		10
Sites \| sites		2,700
Northgate [Member] \| Sun NG RV Resorts [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage		80.00%
Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture	$ 61.6
Northgate [Member] \| NG Sun LLC [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage		20.00%
Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture	$ 15.4
Development Sites [Member] \| Northgate [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Sites \| sites		940
Ground Up Development [Member] \| Northgate [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties		1
Preferred Partner [Member] \| Northgate Additional Consideration [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash		$ 1,800,000
Bridge Loan [Member] \| Northgate Additional Consideration [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash		$ 121,500,000

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Schedule of debt and lines of credit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 2,879,017	$ 2,815,957		$ 2,815,957
Secured borrowings on collateralized receivables		$ 107,731		$ 107,731
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	9 years 3 months 18 days			9 years
Weighted average interest rate	4.40%	4.50%		4.50%
Lines of credit		$ 128,000		$ 128,000
Total debt	$ 3,448,117	3,124,303		3,124,303
Collateralized term loans - CMBS [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 765,391	$ 405,702		$ 405,702
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	4 years 10 months 24 days			4 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted average interest rate	4.40%	5.10%		5.10%
Secured borrowing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument term	25 years	20 years	20 years
Preferred OP units [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 34,663
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	$ 34,663	$ 37,338		$ 37,338
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	14 years 2 months 12 days			4 years 8 months 12 days
Weighted average interest rate	9.90%	6.60%		6.60%
Preferred Equity, Mandatorily Redeemable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	$ 35,249	$ 35,277		$ 35,277
Debt instrument term	3 years 6 months
Debt weighted average to maturity, years				3 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted average interest rate	6.00%	6.00%		6.00%
Federal National Mortgage Association Certificates and Obligations (FNMA) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 379,157	$ 770,417		$ 770,417
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	5 years 7 months 6 days			5 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted average interest rate	3.90%	4.40%		4.40%
Life Companies [Member] \| Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 1,330,591	$ 1,259,158		$ 1,259,158
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	16 years 8 months 12 days			14 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted average interest rate	4.00%	3.90%		3.90%
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Certificates and Obligations (FHLMC) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 403,878	$ 380,680		$ 380,680
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	3 years 9 months 18 days			5 years 10 months 24 days
Weighted average interest rate	5.10%	3.90%		3.90%
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Secured borrowing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 102,676	$ 107,731		$ 107,731
Secured borrowings on collateralized receivables		$ 107,731		$ 107,731
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	4 years 9 months 18 days			14 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted average interest rate	6.50%	9.90%		9.90%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Lines of credit	$ 396,512
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	2 years 1 month 6 days			2 years 3 months 18 days
Weighted average interest rate	3.70%	3.80%		3.80%

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Collateralized Term Loans (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) properties site sites	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) site	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($) community	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) community	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) site
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	$ 653				$ 196
Reduction in secured borrowing balance	$ 5,055				$ 5,105
Number of Real Estate Units Released \| community				11	3
Weighted average interest rate	4.40%	4.50%				4.50%
Sites \| site	3,568	4,882				4,882
Debt weighted average to maturity, length	9 years 3 months 18 days					9 years
Total debt	$ 2,879,017	$ 2,815,957				$ 2,815,957
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	700		$ 900	$ 1,500	$ 200
Reduction in secured borrowing balance	186,800	10,200	30,500	$ 177,700	$ 24,400
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 265,000	$ 21,700	$ 228,000			$ 21,700
Interest rate	383.00%	4.10%	6.34%	4.53%	6.36%	4.10%
Debt instrument term	25 years	20 years	20 years
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.17%	5.66%	4.10%			5.66%
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	4.40%	5.10%				5.10%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length	4 years 10 months 24 days					4 years 1 month 6 days
Total debt	$ 765,391	$ 405,702				$ 405,702
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net book value of properties securing collateralized term loans	$ 3,200,000
Properties securing debt [Member] \| Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Sites \| sites	72,964
Debt Instrument, number of properties securing a debt instument \| properties	185

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Aspen Preferred OP Units and Series B-3 preferred OP units (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2019 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) shares $ / shares Rate	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 $ / shares
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Rate Of Return		6.00%
Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Term		7 years
Preferred Equity, Mandatorily Redeemable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Value of Shares Issued		$ 35,300
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable			$ 35,249	$ 35,277
Preferred OP units [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable			34,663	37,338
Preferred OP units [Member] \| Convertible debt - Aspen Preferred OP Units January 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 34,700	34,700
Convertible units to shares (in shares) \| shares			430,260
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period \| Rate			6.50%
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price \| $ / shares			$ 27.00		$ 68.00
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Percent Of Amount By Which The Market Price Of Common Stock Exceeds Threshold			25.00%
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted \| shares			0.397
Series B-3 Preferred OP Units [Member] \| Convertible debt - Aspen Preferred OP Units January 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount				$ 2,700
Series B-3 Preferred OP Units [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares \| shares	26,750
Redemption price including accrued and unpaid dividends (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 100.153424
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Value	$ 2,700

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Line of Credit (Details)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) Rate	Jun. 30, 2018 community	Mar. 31, 2018 community	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Apr. 25, 2017 USD ($) Rate
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Lines of credit					$ 128,000,000
Weighted average interest rate		4.40%			4.50%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length		9 years 3 months 18 days			9 years
Number of Real Estate Units Released \| community			11	3
Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity						$ 650,000,000.0
Line of credit, borrowing capacity						900,000,000.0
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Apr. 25, 2021
Line of credit, additional borrowing capacity						350,000,000.0
Letters of credit outstanding, amount		$ 3,900,000			$ 3,900,000
Line of credit - manufactured home floor plan facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity		12,000,000.0
Lines of credit		$ 3,500,000			$ 0
Weighted average interest rate \| Rate		7.00%
Prime Rate [Member] \| Line of credit - manufactured home floor plan facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis points \| Rate		100.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity						550,000,000.0
Long-term Debt		$ 393,000,000.0
Lines of credit		$ 396,512,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate		3.70%			3.80%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length		2 years 1 month 6 days			2 years 3 months 18 days
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Eurodollar [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit variable interest rate \| Rate		1.35%
Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity						$ 100,000,000.0
Minimum [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Eurodollar [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate \| Rate						1.35%
Maximum [Member] \| Prime Rate [Member] \| Line of credit - manufactured home floor plan facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate \| Rate		6.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Eurodollar [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate \| Rate						2.20%

Equity and Temporary Equity, Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands			1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		15 Months Ended
	Oct. 15, 2018	Oct. 01, 2018	Feb. 28, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Nov. 30, 2004
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock and common OP units, net					$ (4,321)	$ (3,296)	$ 163,800
Aggregate Value of Shares to be Issued in Accordance to Sales Agreement					$ 450,000
Commission, Maximum Percentage of Gross Sales Price Per Share According to Sales Agreement					2.00%
Series D Preferred OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Temporary Equity, Dividends For Term One, Percentage			3.75%
Series A-4 Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Dividends Per Share, Declared					$ 0.40625
Payments of dividends		$ 432
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends per common share					$ 0.75
Payments of dividends	$ 66,886
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock and common OP units, net					$ 1	$ 2
Authorized to be repurchased (in shares)								1,000,000
Remaining number of shares authorized to be repurchased (in shares)					400,000
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)					0
Series A-4 preferred OP units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)					0	2,373
Series A-4 preferred OP units \| Common OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)					0	1,054
Conversion of Common OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)					6,533	6,777
Conversion of Common OP Units \| Common OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)					6,533
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)					3,950	3,700
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units \| Common OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)					9,633	9,023
NG Sun LLC [Member] \| Sun NG RV Resorts [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Equity Interests Issued, Floating Rate					5.00%
NG Sun LLC [Member] \| Common Stock \| Sun NG RV Resorts [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Equity Interests Issued				$ 6,500
Sun NG RV Resorts [Member] \| Common Stock \| Sun NG RV Resorts [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Equity Interests Issued				$ 15,400

Equity and Temporary Equity, Conversion of Stock (Details)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019 $ / shares shares	Mar. 31, 2019 shares	Mar. 31, 2018 shares
Conversion of Common OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of units			6,533	6,777
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of units			3,950	3,700
Series A-4 preferred OP units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of units			0	2,373
Series D Preferred OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Temporary Equity, Dividends For Term Two, Percentage		4.00%
Temporary Equity, Shares Issued		488,958
Temporary Equity, Issuance Price \| $ / shares		$ 100.00
Common OP Units \| Conversion of Common OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion Rate			1,000
Conversion of units			6,533
Common OP Units \| Series A-1 Preferred OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion Rate			2,439
Conversion of units			9,633	9,023
Common OP Units \| Series A-4 preferred OP units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion Rate			444.4000
Conversion of units			0	1,054
Scenario, Forecast [Member] \| Series D Preferred OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Per Share Upon Conversion	0.8

Equity and Temporary Equity Equity and Temporary Equity, Dividends Payable Table (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands					3 Months Ended
	Oct. 15, 2018	Oct. 01, 2018	Sep. 28, 2018	Sep. 14, 2018	Mar. 31, 2019
Common Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date of Record			Mar. 29, 2019
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	Apr. 15, 2019
Dividends per common share					$ 0.75
Payments of dividends	$ 66,886
Series A-4 Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date of Record				Mar. 15, 2019
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid		Apr. 01, 2019
Preferred Stock, Dividends Per Share, Declared					$ 0.40625
Payments of dividends		$ 432

Equity and Temporary Equity Equity and Temporary Equity, Schedule of Sale of Common Stock (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		15 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Aggregate Value of Shares to be Issued in Accordance to Sales Agreement	$ 450,000
Issuance of common stock and common OP units, net	$ (4,321)	$ (3,296)	$ 163,800

Share-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Percent Expected To Vest	75.10%
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	$ 0.1
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	108,435
Executive Officer [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| 2015 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage	100.00%
Director [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| 2004 Non-employee Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, shares (in shares)	18,000
Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 113.68
Award vesting percentage	100.00%
Time Based [Member] \| Executive Officer [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| 2015 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, shares (in shares)	44,000
Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 115.39
Market Condition [Member] \| Executive Officer [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| 2015 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, shares (in shares)	66,000
Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 86.71
Common Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share Price	$ 115.39
Exercises in period	1,500	0

Segment Reporting Segment Reporting, Seasonality (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) segment	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments \| segment				2
Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Expected annual transient RV revenue \| $				$ 129.7	$ 106.2
Transient RV rental revenue recognized as a percentage				20.20%	16.40%	42.60%	20.30%	20.70%
Scenario, Forecast [Member] \| Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Transient RV rental revenue recognized as a percentage	15.30%	41.50%	23.00%

Segment Reporting Results of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue From Home Sales	$ 287,330	$ 257,975
Home selling expenses	(3,324)	(3,290)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(653)	(196)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity	(1,094)	(619)
Catastrophic weather related charges	(782)	(2,213)
Remeasurement of marketable securities	267	0
Distributions from Affiliate	344	(59)
Other income / (expense), net	1,898	(2,617)
Deferred tax benefit	217	347
Net Income	37,127	33,601
Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units	1,323	1,080
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,041	2,094
Net Income Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	34,763	30,427
Less: Preferred stock distributions	432	441
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	34,331	29,986
Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue From Home Sales	233,741	210,055
Net Income	41,605	39,554
Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units	1,323	1,080
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,259	2,394
Net Income Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	39,023	36,080
Less: Preferred stock distributions	432	441
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	38,591	35,639
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue From Home Sales	53,589	47,920
Net Income	(4,478)	(5,953)
Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units	0	0
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	(218)	(300)
Net Income Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	(4,260)	(5,653)
Less: Preferred stock distributions	0	0
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	(4,260)	(5,653)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue From Home Sales	278,850	251,699
Operating expenses/Cost of sales	114,405	102,647
Net operating income/Gross profit	164,445	149,052
Operating Segments [Member] \| Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue From Home Sales	225,261	203,779
Operating expenses/Cost of sales	80,340	70,849
Net operating income/Gross profit	144,921	132,930
Operating Segments [Member] \| Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue From Home Sales	53,589	47,920
Operating expenses/Cost of sales	34,065	31,798
Net operating income/Gross profit	19,524	16,122
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest and other revenues, net	8,480	6,276
Home selling expenses	(3,324)	(3,290)
General and administrative	(21,887)	(19,757)
Depreciation and amortization	(76,556)	(66,437)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(653)	(196)
Interest	(34,014)	(31,138)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity	(1,094)	(619)
Catastrophic weather related charges	(782)	2,213
Remeasurement of marketable securities	267	0
Distributions from Affiliate	344	(59)
Other income / (expense), net	1,898	(2,617)
Current tax expense	(214)	(174)
Deferred tax benefit	217	347
Segment Reconciling Items [Member] \| Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest and other revenues, net	8,480	6,276
Home selling expenses	0	0
General and administrative	(19,234)	(17,187)
Depreciation and amortization	(58,245)	(50,508)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(653)	(196)
Interest	(34,010)	(31,134)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity	(1,094)	(619)
Catastrophic weather related charges	(782)	2,357
Remeasurement of marketable securities	267	0
Distributions from Affiliate	0	0
Other income / (expense), net	1,860	(2,616)
Current tax expense	(122)	(96)
Deferred tax benefit	217	347
Segment Reconciling Items [Member] \| Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest and other revenues, net	0	0
Home selling expenses	(3,324)	(3,290)
General and administrative	(2,653)	(2,570)
Depreciation and amortization	(18,311)	(15,929)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0
Interest	(4)	(4)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity	0	0
Catastrophic weather related charges	0	(144)
Remeasurement of marketable securities	0	0
Distributions from Affiliate	344	(59)
Other income / (expense), net	38	(1)
Current tax expense	(92)	(78)
Deferred tax benefit	$ 0	$ 0

Segment Reporting Identifiable Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Investment property, net	$ 6,471,256	$ 6,118,316
Cash and cash equivalents	21,946	50,311	$ 15,153	$ 10,127
Marketable securities	50,501	49,037
Inventory of manufactured homes	52,993	49,199
Notes and other receivables, net	179,814	160,077
Collateralized receivables, net	101,938	106,924
Other assets	220,214	176,162
TOTAL ASSETS	7,098,662	6,710,026
Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Investment property, net	5,929,030	5,586,444
Cash and cash equivalents	(7,233)	24,343
Marketable securities	50,501	49,037
Inventory of manufactured homes	0	0
Notes and other receivables, net	163,362	145,673
Collateralized receivables, net	101,938	106,924
Other assets	165,743	140,027
TOTAL ASSETS	6,403,341	6,052,448
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Investment property, net	542,226	531,872
Cash and cash equivalents	29,179	25,968
Marketable securities	0	0
Inventory of manufactured homes	52,993	49,199
Notes and other receivables, net	16,452	14,404
Collateralized receivables, net	0	0
Other assets	54,471	36,135
TOTAL ASSETS	$ 695,321	$ 657,578

Income Taxes , Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Income Taxes , Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Minimum Percent of Income From Qualifying Sources to Allow For Real Estate Investment Trust Classification	95.00%
Required Minimum Percent of Taxable Income Distributed to Stock Holders	90.00%
Provision for state income taxes	$ 200	$ 174
Deferred tax benefit	217	347
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	$ 20,300	21,600
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross		$ 100

Earnings Per Share , Calculation of Numerator and Denominator (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Numerator
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 34,331	$ 29,986
Allocation to restricted stock awards	(437)	(303)
Basic earnings: Net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation	33,894	29,683
Allocation to restricted stock awards	437	303
Diluted earnings: Net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation	$ 34,331	$ 29,986
Denominator
Weighted average common shares outstanding	85,520	78,855
Add: dilutive stock options	1	2
Add: dilutive restricted stock	512	607
Diluted weighted average common shares and securities	86,033	79,464
Basic	$ 0.40	$ 0.38
Diluted	$ 0.40	$ 0.38

Earnings Per Share , Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Loss Per Share (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	6,647	6,228
Common OP Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	2,719	2,739
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	328	342
Series D Preferred OP Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	489	0
Series A-3 Preferred OP Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	40	40
Series A-4 preferred OP units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	410	422
Series A-4 Preferred Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	1,063	1,085
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	314	316
Aspen Preferred OP Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	1,284	1,284

Fair Value of Financial Instruments , By Balance Sheet Grouping (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Payments to acquire marketable securities	$ 54,000
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net		$ 179,814	$ 160,077
Collateralized receivables, net		101,938	106,924
Financial liabilities
Secured debt		2,879,017	2,815,957
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net		109,300	112,800
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Financial liabilities
Debt (excluding secured borrowings)		2,948,929	2,888,572
Lines of credit		396,512	128,000
Other liabilities (contingent consideration)		4,702	4,640
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net			112,798
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net		109,256
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Collateralized Receivables [Member]
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net		101,900	106,900
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Collateralized Receivables [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Collateralized receivables, net		101,938	106,924
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Financial liabilities
Secured debt		102,676	107,731
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial liabilities
Debt (excluding secured borrowings)		2,906,358	2,757,649
Secured debt		102,676	107,731
Lines of credit		396,512	128,000
Other liabilities (contingent consideration)		4,702	4,640
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net		109,256	112,798
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Collateralized Receivables [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Collateralized receivables, net		101,938	106,924
Marketable Securities [Member] \| Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Marketable securities		50,501	49,037
Marketable Securities [Member] \| Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Marketable securities		$ 50,501	$ 49,037

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Amortization of right - of-use assets	$ 18
Interest on lease liabilities	26
Sublease income	319
Total lease expense	$ 1,185	$ 267

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 21,946	$ 50,311	$ 15,153	$ 10,127
Restricted cash	12,229	11,951	12,271	13,382
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 34,175	$ 62,262	$ 27,424	$ 23,509

Leases - Future Minimum Lease Payments (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Operating Leases
2019 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2019)	$ 1,766,000
2020	2,397,000
2021	2,446,000
2022	2,483,000
2023	2,509,000
Thereafter	13,725,000
Total undiscounted lease payments	25,326,000
Less: Imputed interest	(6,213,000)
Total lease liabilities	19,113,000	$ 0
Finance Leases
2019 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2019)	112,000
2020	120,000
2021	120,000
2022	120,000
2023	120,000
Thereafter	4,060,000
Total undiscounted lease payments	4,652,000
Less: Imputed interest	(539,000)
Total lease liabilities	$ 4,113,000	$ 4,100,000

Leases - Additional Information (Details)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) ft² $ / ft²	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
ROU assets from operating lease	$ 47,705,000
Operating lease liability	19,113,000	$ 0
ROU assets from finance lease	4,100,000	4,100,000
Finance lease liability	4,113,000	4,100,000
Operating lease, not yet commenced	$ 2,900,000
Term of operating lease not yet commenced	7 years
Below Market Leases
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
ROU assets from operating lease		$ 29,100,000
CEO \| American Center
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	28.10%
Area of rentable real estate property \| ft²	103,100
Gross base rent (USD per sqft) \| $ / ft²	18.55

Leases - Lease Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Leases - Lease Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Amortization of right - of-use assets	$ 18
Interest on lease liabilities	26
Operating lease expense	822
Variable lease expense	319
Total lease expense	1,185		$ 267
Amortization of lease		$ 18
Interest on lease liabilities		26
Operating lease expense		851
Operating cash flow used for operating leases	450	549
Financing cash flow used for finance leases	8	8
Right of use asset obtained (land) in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	4,116
Right of use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	18,775
Total right of use asset from operating leases	$ 47,705
Weighted - average remaining lease term - finance leases (in years)	5 years 3 months
Weighted - average remaining lease term - operating leases (in years)	13 years 6 months 21 days
Weighted - average discount rate - finance leases (annual)	2.50%
Weighted - average discount rate - operating leases (annual)	4.11%
Below Market Leases
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Below market ground lease amortization expense		$ 223
Right of use asset obtained relative to below market operating leases	$ 28,930		29,118
Total right of use asset from operating leases			$ 29,100

Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information - shares	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 18, 2019
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	SUI
Entity Registrant Name	SUN COMMUNITIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000912593
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		86,505,876
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
ASSETS
Land	$ 1,279,306	$ 1,201,945
Land improvements and buildings	5,899,149	5,586,250
Rental homes and improvements	585,994	571,661
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	208,177	201,090
Investment property	7,972,626	7,560,946
Accumulated depreciation	(1,501,370)	(1,442,630)
Investment property, net (including $314,669 and $308,171 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)	6,471,256	6,118,316
Cash and cash equivalents	21,946	50,311
Marketable securities	50,501	49,037
Inventory of manufactured homes	52,993	49,199
Notes and other receivables, net	179,814	160,077
Collateralized receivables, net	101,938	106,924
Other assets, net (including $22,369 and $19,809 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)	220,214	176,162
TOTAL ASSETS	7,098,662	6,710,026
LIABILITIES
Mortgage loans payable (including $43,913 and $44,172 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)	2,879,017	2,815,957
Lines of credit		128,000
Distributions payable	66,887	63,249
Customer Advances and Deposits	151,860	133,698
Other liabilities (including $21,049 and $6,914 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)	179,461	157,862
TOTAL LIABILITIES	3,846,325	3,479,112
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Common, Carrying Amount	22,167	21,976
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized: 180,000 shares; Issued and outstanding:86,463 shares at March 31, 2019 and 86,357 shares at December 31, 2018	865	864
Additional paid-in capital	4,398,641	4,398,949
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,006)	(4,504)
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(1,317,605)	(1,288,486)
Total Sun Communities, Inc. stockholders' equity	3,078,895	3,106,823
Noncontrolling interests:
Common and preferred OP units	51,816	53,354
Consolidated variable interest entities	6,198	7,145
Total noncontrolling interests	58,014	60,499
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	3,136,909	3,167,322
TOTAL LIABILITIES, TEMPORARY EQUITY AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	7,098,662	6,710,026
Series A-4 Preferred Stock
LIABILITIES
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Preferred, Carrying Amount	31,739	31,739
Series A-4 preferred OP units
LIABILITIES
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Preferred, Carrying Amount	9,784	9,877
Series D Preferred OP Units
LIABILITIES
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Preferred, Carrying Amount	51,738	0
Preferred Equity, Mandatorily Redeemable [Member]
LIABILITIES
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	35,249	35,277
Aspen Series B3 Preferred Operating Partnership Units [Member]
LIABILITIES
Mortgage loans payable (including $43,913 and $44,172 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)	34,663
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	34,663	37,338
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
LIABILITIES
Mortgage loans payable (including $43,913 and $44,172 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)	102,676	107,731
Lines of credit	396,512
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
LIABILITIES
Mortgage loans payable (including $43,913 and $44,172 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)	102,676	107,731
Collateralized Receivables [Member]
LIABILITIES
Financing Receivable, Gross	102,676
Collateralized Receivables [Member] \| Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
ASSETS
Collateralized receivables, net	101,938	106,924
Collateralized Receivables [Member] \| Reported Value Measurement [Member]
ASSETS
Notes and other receivables, net	101,900	106,900
Collateralized Receivables [Member] \| Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
ASSETS
Collateralized receivables, net	101,938	106,924
Collateralized Receivables [Member] \| Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
LIABILITIES
Financing Receivable, Gross	$ 102,676	$ 107,700

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Investment property, net	$ 6,471,256	$ 6,118,316
Other assets	220,214	176,162
Secured debt	2,879,017	2,815,957
Other liabilities	$ 179,461	$ 157,862
Common Stock, Par Value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	180,000	180,000
Common Stock, Shares Issued	86,463	86,357
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	86,463	86,357
Series A-4 Preferred Stock
Series A-4 Preferred Stock, Par Value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Series A-4 Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	1,063	1,063
Series A-4 Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	1,063	1,063
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Investment property, net	$ 314,669	$ 308,171
Other assets	22,369	19,809
Secured debt	43,913	44,172
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	35,249	35,277
Other liabilities	$ 21,049	$ 6,914

Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
REVENUES
Income from real property	$ 216,779	$ 197,211
Revenue from home sales	39,618	34,900
Rental home revenue	13,971	13,020
Ancillary revenue	8,482	6,568
Interest	4,800	5,316
Brokerage commissions and other revenues, net	3,680	960
Total revenues	287,330	257,975
EXPENSES
Real estate taxes	15,330	13,836
Property operating and maintenance	57,909	51,630
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	29,277	26,571
Rental home operating and maintenance	4,788	5,227
Ancillary expenses	7,101	5,383
Home selling expenses	3,324	3,290
General and administrative	21,887	19,757
Depreciation and amortization	76,556	66,437
Loss on extinguishment of debt	653	196
Interest	34,014	31,138
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity	1,094	619
Total expenses	252,715	221,871
Income Before Other Items	34,615	36,104
Remeasurement of marketable securities	267	0
Catastrophic weather related charges	(782)	(2,213)
Other income / (expense), net	1,898	(2,617)
Current tax expense	(214)
Provision for state income taxes	(200)	(174)
Deferred tax benefit	217	347
Net Income	37,127	33,601
Less: Preferred return to preferred OP units	(1,323)	(1,080)
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,041)	(2,094)
Net Income Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	34,763	30,427
Less: Preferred stock distribution	(432)	(441)
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$ 34,331	$ 29,986
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	85,520	78,855
Diluted	86,033	79,464
Earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.40	$ 0.38
Diluted	$ 0.40	$ 0.38
Distributions from Affiliate	$ 344	$ (59)

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 37,127	$ 33,601
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1,575	(1,861)
Total comprehensive income	38,702	31,740
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,118	2,005
Comprehensive income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	$ 37,584	$ 29,735

- Definition

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

+ References

+ Details

Consolidated Statement Of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Distributions in Excess of Accumulated Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interests	Common OP Units	Series D Preferred OP Units
Temporary equity, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 43,066
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Conversion of stock							$ (60)
Net income	71
Distributions	(171)
Temporary equity, ending balance at Mar. 31, 2018	42,906
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	2,663,687	$ 797	$ 3,758,533	$ (1,162,001)	$ 1,102	$ 65,256
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock and common OP units, net	(3,296)	2	(3,298)
Conversion of OP units	(59)		(342)			(283)
Share-based compensation - amortization and forfeitures	3,579		3,489	90
Foreign currency translation	(1,861)				(1,772)	(89)
Net income	33,530			31,507		2,023
Distributions	(60,047)			(57,159)		(2,888)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2018	2,635,651	799	3,759,066	(1,187,563)	(670)	64,019
Temporary equity, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	63,592
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Conversion of stock							$ 0
Net income	178
Distributions	(272)
Temporary equity, ending balance at Mar. 31, 2019	115,428
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	3,167,322	864	4,398,949	(1,288,486)	(4,504)	60,499
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock and common OP units, net	(4,321)	$ 1	(4,322)
Conversion of units		0
Conversion of OP units			(280)			(280)
Share-based compensation - amortization and forfeitures	3,793		3,719	74
Temporary Equity, Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues								$ 51,930
Foreign currency translation	1,575				1,498	77
Net income	36,949			36,086		863
Distributions	(68,409)		15	(65,279)		(3,145)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 3,136,909	$ 865	$ 4,398,641	$ (1,317,605)	$ (3,006)	$ 58,014

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	$ 103,141	$ 80,905
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in properties	(114,804)	(68,524)
Acquisitions of properties, net of cash acquired	(279,302)	(2,384)
Proceeds from dispositions of assets and depreciated homes, net	11,788	5,312
Purchases of notes receivable	0	(893)
Other investing activities	0	(1,925)
Repayments of notes and other receivables	1,030	679
Repayments of notes and other receivables	11,195	783
NET CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(392,483)	(68,518)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance of common stock, OP units, and preferred OP units, net	(4,321)	(3,296)
Borrowings on lines of credit	1,428,948	302,355
Payments on lines of credit	(1,160,436)	201,853
Proceeds from issuance of other debt	265,000	0
Payments on other debt	(200,892)	(43,883)
Prepayment penalty on debt	0	196
Distributions to stockholders, OP unit holders, and preferred OP unit holders	(65,145)	56,881
Payments for deferred financing costs	(1,000)	(605)
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities	1,618	0
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES	261,097	(8,464)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	158	(8)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(28,087)	3,915
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	62,262	23,509
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period (See Note 16)	34,175	27,424
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest (net of capitalized interest of $1,357 and $1,184 respectively)	32,711	30,402
Cash paid for interest on mandatorily redeemable debt	1,094	619
Cash paid (refunds) for income taxes	(60)	135
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Reduction in secured borrowing balance	5,055	5,105
Change in distributions declared and outstanding	3,536	3,337
Conversion of common and preferred OP units	280	342
Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition, Noncash Financial Or Equity Instrument Consideration, Value Of Shares Issued	51,930	0
Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition, Escrow	4,035	0
Series B-3 Preferred OP Units [Member]
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Redemption of Series A-4 preferred stock and OP units	$ (2,675)	$ (4,105)

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Capitalized interest	$ 1,357	$ 1,184

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation	Mar. 31, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation Sun Communities, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and all wholly-owned or majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries, including Sun Communities Operating Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”) and Sun Home Services, Inc. (“SHS”) are referred to herein as the “Company,” “us,” “we,” and “our.” We follow accounting standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). FASB sets generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), which we follow to ensure that we consistently report our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. References to GAAP issued by the FASB in these footnotes are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). These unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information and in accordance with GAAP. Pursuant to the SEC rules and regulations we present interim disclosures and certain information and footnote disclosures as required. Accordingly, the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, including adjustments of a normal and recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the interim financial statements. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements in order to conform to current period presentation. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. These unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019 (the “2018 Annual Report”). These statements have been prepared on a basis that is substantially consistent with the accounting principles applied in our 2018 Annual Report.

Revenue

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following tables details our revenue by major source (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019						Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	Real Property Operations		Home Sales and Rentals		Consolidated		Real Property Operations		Home Sales and Rentals		Consolidated
REVENUE
Income from real property	$	216,779	$	—	$	216,779	$	197,211	$	—	$	197,211
Revenue from home sales	—		39,618		39,618		—		34,900		34,900
Rental home revenue	—		13,971		13,971		—		13,020		13,020
Ancillary revenues	8,482		—		8,482		6,568		—		6,568
Interest	4,800		—		4,800		5,316		—		5,316
Brokerage commissions and other revenues, net	3,680		—		3,680		960		—		960
Total revenue	$	233,741	$	53,589	$	287,330	$	210,055	$	47,920	$	257,975

Revenue Recognition Policies and Performance Obligations

Rental home revenue - is comprised of rental agreements whereby we lease homes to residents in our communities. We account for these revenues under ASC 842.

Contract Balances

Real Estate Acquisitions

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Real Estate Acquisitions

2019 Acquisitions

In 2019 we acquired the following communities:

Community Name

Type

Sites

Development Sites

State

Month Acquired

Massey’s Landing RV

291

—

February

Shelby Properties⁽¹⁾

1,308

—

February

Buena Vista

400

—

February

Country Village Estates ⁽²⁾

518

—

January

Hid’n Pines RV

321

—

January

Hacienda del Rio

MH (Age-Restricted)

730

January

Total

3,568

⁽¹⁾ Contains two MH communities.

⁽²⁾ In conjunction with the acquisition, we issued Series D Preferred Operating Partnership (“OP”) Units. As of March 31, 2019, 488,958 Series D Preferred OP Units were outstanding.



At Acquisition Date ⁽¹⁾	Massey's Landing			Shelby Properties			Buena Vista			Country Village		Hid'n Pines			Hacienda del Rio			Total
Investment in property	$	20,000		$	85,969		$	20,221		$	62,784	$	10,680		$	111,971		$	311,625
Inventory of manufactured homes	—			2,011			439			—		—			15			2,465
In-place leases and other intangible assets	—			6,520			1,590			2,020		70			3,280			13,480
Other assets (liabilities), net	(446		)	(1,015		)	(93		)	31		(233		)	(237		)	(1,993		)
Total identifiable assets acquired net of liabilities assumed	$	19,554		$	93,485		$	22,157		$	64,835	$	10,517		$	115,029		$	325,577


Consideration
Cash and escrow	$	19,554		$	93,485		$	22,157		$	12,905	$	10,517		$	115,029		$	273,647
Series D Preferred OP units	—			—			—			51,930		—			—			51,930
Total consideration	$	19,554		$	93,485		$	22,157		$	64,835	$	10,517		$	115,029		$	325,577

⁽¹⁾ The purchase price allocations are preliminary and may be adjusted as final valuations are determined.

As of March 31,2019, the Company has incurred $5.1 million of additional capitalized transaction costs which have been allocated among the various categories above.

Refer to Note 19, “Subsequent Events,” for information regarding real estate acquisition activity after March 31, 2019.



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	(unaudited)
Total revenues	$	3,764
Net income	$	1,317



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	(unaudited)
	2019		2018
Total revenues	$	289,253	$	263,706
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	34,885	$	31,732
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic	$	0.41	$	0.40
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted	$	0.41	$	0.40

2018 Acquisitions

In 2018 we acquired the following communities:

Community Name

Type

Sites

Development Sites

State

Month Acquired

Leaf Verde RV Resort

376

—

October

Archview

114

August

Petoskey KOA

210

—

August

The Sands RV and Golf Resort

RV (Age Restricted)

507

—

July

Sun NG RV Resorts LLC ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾

2,700

940

Various

June

Silver Creek

264

176

June

Highway West ⁽¹⁾

536

—

UT & OR

June

Compass RV

175

—

May

Total

4,882

1,166

⁽¹⁾Highway West and Sun NG RV Resorts LLC are comprised of 4 RV and 10 RV resorts, respectively.

The following table summarizes the amounts of assets acquired net of liabilities assumed at the acquisition date and the consideration paid for the acquisitions completed in 2018 (in thousands):



At Acquisition Date	Leaf Verde		Archview		Petoskey KOA		Sands		Sun NG Resorts			Silver Creek		Highway West		Compass		Total
Investment in property	$	11,587	$	14,550	$	8,730	$	13,790	$	240,649		$	7,250	$	36,500	$	13,930	$	346,986
In-place leases and other intangible assets	60		—		270		460		16,339			—		—		70		17,199
Debt assumed	—		—		—		—		(3,120		)	—		—		—		(3,120		)
Other liabilities, net	—		—		—		—		(11,990		)	—		—		—		(11,990		)
Total identifiable assets acquired net of liabilities assumed	$	11,647	$	14,550	$	9,000	$	14,250	$	241,878		$	7,250	$	36,500	$	14,000	$	349,075

Consideration
Cash	$	11,647	$	14,550	$	9,000	$	14,250	$	184,625		$	7,250	$	36,500	$	14,000	$	291,822
Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts	—		—		—		—		35,277			—		—		—		35,277
Equity Interests - NG Sun LLC	—		—		—		—		21,976			—		—		—		21,976
Total consideration	$	11,647	$	14,550	$	9,000	$	14,250	$	241,878		$	7,250	$	36,500	$	14,000	$	349,075

In 2018, we acquired the following land for expansion / development:



Name	Location	Type	Expansion / Development Sites	Cost (millions)		Month Acquired
Ocean West	McKinleyville, CA	MH	26	$	0.2	December
Water Oak Country Club Estates	Lady Lake, FL	MH	296	$	1.9	November
Oak Crest	Austin, TX	MH	220	$	4.2	October
Pecan Park	Jacksonville, FL	RV	158	$	1.3	September
Smith Creek Crossing	Granby, CO	MH	310	$	0.9	September
Apple Carr	Egelston, MI	MH	121	$	0.2	May
River Run Ranch	Granby, CO	MH / RV	1,144	$	5.3	May
		Total	2,275	$	14.0

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Transfers and Servicing [Abstract]

Transfers Of Financial Assets

Transfers of Financial Assets

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 Percentage
Fewer than or equal to 15	100	%
Greater than 15 but fewer than 64	90	%
Equal to or greater than 64 but fewer than 120	65	%
120 or more	50	%

The outstanding balance on the secured borrowing was $102.7 million and $107.7 million as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Beginning balance	$	107,731
Principal payments and payoffs from our customers	(3,109		)
Principal reduction from repurchased homes	(1,946		)
Total activity	(5,055		)
Ending balance	$	102,676

The following table sets forth the allowance for the collateralized receivables as of March 31, 2019 (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Beginning balance	$	(807	)
Lower of cost or market write-downs	45
Decrease to reserve balance	24
Total activity	69
Ending balance	$	(738	)

Notes And Other Receivables

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

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):



	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net	$	109,256	$	112,798
Other receivables, net	70,558		47,279
Total notes and other receivables, net	$	179,814	$	160,077

Installment Notes Receivable on Manufactured Homes

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



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Beginning balance	$	113,495
Investment in installment notes	63
Principal payments and payoffs from customers	(1,653		)
Principal reduction from repossessed homes	(1,994		)
Total activity	(3,584		)
Ending balance	$	109,911

Allowance for Losses for Installment Notes Receivable

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



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Beginning balance	$	(697	)
Lower of cost or market write-downs	57
Increase to reserve balance	(15		)
Total activity	42
Ending balance	$	(655	)

Other Receivables

- Definition

+ References + Details

Intangible Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

Intangible Assets

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



		March 31, 2019					December 31, 2018
Intangible Asset	Useful Life	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
In-place leases	7 years	117,544		(62,740		)	103,547		(59,068		)
Franchise agreements and other intangible assets	7-20 years	16,944		(2,146		)	16,641		(1,942		)
Total		$	134,488	$	(64,886	)	$	120,188	$	(61,010	)

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



	Three Months Ended March 31,
Intangible Asset	2019		2018
In-place leases	3,672		3,490
Franchise agreements and other intangible assets	205		19
Total	$	3,877	$	3,509

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



	Year
	Remainder of 2019		2020		2021		2022		2023
Estimated expense	$	11,850	$	14,144	$	13,752	$	9,151	$	5,776

Investment In Affiliates	3 Months Ended
Investment In Affiliates	Mar. 31, 2019
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investment In Affiliates	Investment in Affiliates Investments in joint ventures that are not consolidated, nor investments recorded at cost, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting as prescribed in FASB ASC Topic 323, “Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures.” RezPlot Systems LLC (“Rezplot”) - In January 2019, the Company acquired a 50 percent ownership interest in RezPlot, a software technology company. As of March 31, 2019 we had a $5.3 million investment in RezPlot which is recorded within Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we recognized $0.2 million loss in the Income / (loss) from nonconsolidated affiliates on the Consolidated Statement of Operations related to our ownership interest. Sungenia JV - In November 2018, the Company and Ingenia Communities Group entered into a joint venture (“JV”) to establish and grow a manufactured housing community development program in Australia. We hold a 50 percent interest in the JV entity. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had a $2.2 million and $0.7 million investment in the JV which is recorded within Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 we recognized less than $0.1 million loss in the Income / (loss) from nonconsolidated affiliates on the Consolidated Statement of Operations related to our ownership interest. GTSC LLC (“GTSC”) - At March 31, 2019, we had a 40 percent ownership interest in GTSC which engages in acquiring, holding and selling loans secured, directly or indirectly, by manufactured homes located in communities of Sun Communities. Our investment in GTSC as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was $37.9 million and $29.8 million, respectively, and is recorded within Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, there was $0.5 million net gain and $0.1 million net loss, respectively, in the Income / (loss) from nonconsolidated affiliates on the Consolidated Statement of Operations related to our ownership interest. Origen Financial Services, LLC (“OFS LLC”) - At March 31, 2019 and 2018, we had a 22.9 percent ownership interest in OFS LLC. As of both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 our investment in OFS LLC was $0.1 million respectively and is recorded within Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, we recognized less than $0.1 million and no income, respectively, in Income / (loss) from nonconsolidated affiliates on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

DisclosureofVariableInterestEntities [Abstract]

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

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



	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
ASSETS
Investment property, net	$	314,669	$	308,171
Other assets, net	22,369		19,809
Total Assets	$	337,038	$	327,980

LIABILITIES AND OTHER EQUITY
Debt	$	43,913	$	44,172
Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts - mandatorily redeemable	35,249		35,277
Other liabilities	21,049		6,914
Total Liabilities	100,211		86,363
Equity Interests - NG Sun LLC	22,167		21,976
Noncontrolling interests	6,198		7,145
Total Liabilities and Other Equity	$	128,576	$	115,484

Debt And Lines Of Credit

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt Disclosure [Text Block]

Debt and Lines of Credit

The following table sets forth certain information regarding debt including premiums, discounts and deferred financing costs (in thousands):



	Carrying Amount				Weighted Average Years to Maturity		Weighted Average Interest Rates
	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018		March 31, 2019	December 31, 2018	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Collateralized term loans - Life Companies	$	1,330,591	$	1,259,158	16.7	14.4	4.0	%	3.9	%
Collateralized term loans - FNMA	765,391		770,417		4.9	5.1	4.4	%	4.4	%
Collateralized term loans - CMBS	403,878		405,702		3.8	4.1	5.1	%	5.1	%
Collateralized term loans - FMCC	379,157		380,680		5.6	5.9	3.9	%	3.9	%
Secured borrowings	102,676		107,731		14.2	14.4	9.9	%	9.9	%
Lines of credit	396,512		128,000		2.1	2.3	3.7	%	3.8	%
Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts - mandatorily redeemable	35,249		35,277		3.5	3.8	6.0	%	6.0	%
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	34,663		37,338		4.8	4.7	6.5	%	6.6	%
Total debt	$	3,448,117	$	3,124,303	9.3	9.0	4.4	%	4.5	%

Collateralized Term Loans

The collateralized term loans totaling $2.9 billion as of March 31, 2019, are secured by 185 properties comprised of 72,964 sites representing approximately $3.2 billion of net book value.

Secured Borrowing

See Note 4, “Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets,” for information regarding our collateralized receivables and secured borrowing transactions.

Preferred OP Units - mandatorily redeemable

Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts - mandatorily redeemable

$35.2 million. Refer to Note 3, “Real Estate Acquisitions,” Note 8, “Consolidated Variable Interest Entities,” and Note 10, “Equity and Temporary Equity” for additional information.

Lines of Credit

Covenants

Equity and Temporary Equity

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Equity [Abstract]

Equity and Temporary Equity

At the Market Offering Sales Agreement

In July 2017, we entered into a new at the market offering sales agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with certain sales agents

Issuance of Series D Preferred OP Units - Temporary Equity

Equity Interests - NG Sun LLC - Temporary Equity

Conversions



		Three Months Ended March 31, 2019		Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Series	Conversion Rate	Units/Shares Converted	Common Stock	Units/Shares Converted	Common Stock
Common OP unit	1	6,533	6,533	6,777	6,777
Series A-1 preferred OP unit	2.439	3,950	9,633	3,700	9,023
Series A-4 preferred OP unit	0.4444	—	—	2,373	1,054

Cash Distributions

Cash Distributions for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were as follows:



Cash Distributions	Record Date	Payment Date	Distribution per Share		Total Distribution (thousands)
Common Stock, Common OP units and Restricted Stock	3/29/2019	4/15/2019	$	0.75	$	66,886
Series A-4 Preferred Stock	3/15/2019	4/1/2019	$	0.40625	$	432

Repurchase Program

Share-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Share-Based Compensation

The following table shows details on grants of equity awards during the three months ended March 31, 2019:



Grant Period	Type	Plan	Shares Granted	Grant Date Fair Value Per Share			Vesting Type	Vesting Anniversary	Percentage

2019	Executive Officers	2015 Equity Incentive Plan	44,000	$	115.39	(1)	Time Based	20.0% annually over 5 years
2019	Executive Officers	2015 Equity Incentive Plan	66,000	$	86.71	(2)	Market Condition	3rd	100.0	%
2019	Directors	2004 Non-Employee Director Option Plan	18,000	$	113.68	(1)	Time Based	3rd	100.0	%

⁽¹⁾The fair value of the grants were determined by using the average closing price of our common stock on the dates the shares were issued.

Options

Vesting

The vesting requirements for 108,435 restricted shares granted to our executives, directors and employees were satisfied during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Segment Reporting

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting

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



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019									Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	Real Property Operations			Home Sales and Rentals			Consolidated			Real Property Operations			Home Sales and Rentals			Consolidated
Revenues	$	225,261		$	53,589		$	278,850		$	203,779		$	47,920		$	251,699
Operating expenses/Cost of sales	80,340			34,065			114,405			70,849			31,798			102,647
Net operating income/Gross profit	144,921			19,524			164,445			132,930			16,122			149,052
Adjustments to arrive at net income / (loss):
Interest and other revenues, net	8,480			—			8,480			6,276			—			6,276
Home selling expenses	—			(3,324		)	(3,324		)	—			(3,290		)	(3,290		)
General and administrative	(19,234		)	(2,653		)	(21,887		)	(17,187		)	(2,570		)	(19,757		)
Depreciation and amortization	(58,245		)	(18,311		)	(76,556		)	(50,508		)	(15,929		)	(66,437		)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(653		)	—			(653		)	(196		)	—			(196		)
Interest	(34,010		)	(4		)	(34,014		)	(31,134		)	(4		)	(31,138		)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity	(1,094		)	—			(1,094		)	(619		)	—			(619		)
Catastrophic weather related charges, net	(782		)	—			(782		)	2,357			(144		)	2,213
Remeasurement of marketable securities	267			—			267			—			—			—
Income / (loss) from nonconsolidated affiliates	—			344			344			—			(59		)	(59		)
Other income / (expense), net	1,860			38			1,898			(2,616		)	(1		)	(2,617		)
Current tax expense	(122		)	(92		)	(214		)	(96		)	(78		)	(174		)
Deferred tax benefit	217			—			217			347			—			347
Net income / (loss)	41,605			(4,478		)	37,127			39,554			(5,953		)	33,601
Less: Preferred return to preferred OP units / equity	1,323			—			1,323			1,080			—			1,080
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,259			(218		)	1,041			2,394			(300		)	2,094
Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	39,023			(4,260		)	34,763			36,080			(5,653		)	30,427
Less: Preferred stock distributions	432			—			432			441			—			441
Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	38,591		$	(4,260	)	$	34,331		$	35,639		$	(5,653	)	$	29,986



	March 31, 2019								December 31, 2018
	Real Property Operations				Home Sales and Rentals		Consolidated		Real Property Operations		Home Sales and Rentals		Consolidated
Identifiable assets:
Investment property, net	$	5,929,030			$	542,226	$	6,471,256	$	5,586,444	$	531,872	$	6,118,316
Cash and cash equivalents	(7,233		)		29,179		21,946		24,343		25,968		50,311
Marketable securities	50,501			—	—		50,501		49,037		—		49,037
Inventory of manufactured homes	—				52,993		52,993		—		49,199		49,199
Notes and other receivables, net	163,362				16,452		179,814		145,673		14,404		160,077
Collateralized receivables, net	101,938				—		101,938		106,924		—		106,924
Other assets, net	165,743				54,471		220,214		140,027		36,135		176,162
Total assets	$	6,403,341			$	695,321	$	7,098,662	$	6,052,448	$	657,578	$	6,710,026

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Mar. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We have elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) pursuant to Section 856(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”). In order for us to qualify as a REIT, at least 95 percent of our gross income in any year must be derived from qualifying sources. In addition, a REIT must distribute annually at least 90 percent of its REIT taxable income (calculated without any deduction for dividends paid and excluding capital gain) to its stockholders and meet other tests. Qualification as a REIT involves the satisfaction of numerous requirements (on an annual and quarterly basis) established under highly technical and complex Code provisions for which there are limited judicial or administrative interpretations, and involves the determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within our control. In addition, frequent changes occur in the area of REIT taxation which requires us to continually monitor our tax status. We analyzed the various REIT tests and confirmed that we continued to qualify as a REIT for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to United States (“U.S.”) federal income taxes at the corporate level on the ordinary taxable income we distribute to our stockholders as dividends. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, our taxable income could be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates. Even if we qualify as a REIT, we may be subject to certain state and local income taxes as well as U.S. federal income and excise taxes on our undistributed income. In addition, taxable income from non-REIT activities managed through taxable REIT subsidiaries is subject to federal, state, and local income taxes. The Company is also subject to local income taxes in Canada as a result of the acquisition 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 of the U.S. Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the bases of such assets and liabilities as measured by tax laws. Deferred tax assets are reduced, if necessary, by a valuation allowance to the amount where realization is more likely than not assured after considering all available evidence. Our temporary differences primarily relate to net operating loss carryforwards, depreciation and basis differences between tax and U.S. GAAP on our Canadian investments. Our deferred tax assets that have a full valuation allowance relate to our taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRS”) business. Net deferred tax liabilities of $20.3 million for Canadian entities have been recorded in relation to corporate entities and included in “Other liabilities” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019. Net deferred tax liabilities of $21.6 million (Canada) and $0.1 million (U.S.) have been recorded in relation to corporate entities and included in “Other liabilities” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2018. There are no U.S. federal deferred tax assets or liabilities included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. We had no unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2019 and 2018. We do not expect significant changes in tax positions that would result in unrecognized tax benefits within one year of March 31, 2019. We recorded a current tax expense for federal, state, and Canadian income taxes of $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and a current tax expense of approximately $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, we recorded a deferred tax benefit of $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

Earnings Per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

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



	Three Months Ended March 31,
Numerator	2019			2018
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	34,331		$	29,986
Allocation to restricted stock awards	(437		)	(303		)
Basic earnings: Net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation	33,894			29,683
Allocation to restricted stock awards	437			303
Diluted earnings: Net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation	$	34,331		$	29,986

Denominator
Weighted average common shares outstanding	85,520			78,855
Add: dilutive stock options	1			2
Add: dilutive restricted stock	512			607
Diluted weighted average common shares and securities	86,033			79,464
Earnings per share available to common stockholders after allocation:
Basic	$	0.40		$	0.38
Diluted	$	0.40		$	0.38



	As of March 31,
	2019	2018
Common OP units	2,719	2,739
Series A-4 preferred stock	1,063	1,085
Series A-3 preferred OP units	40	40
Series A-1 preferred OP units	328	342
Series D preferred OP units	489	—
Aspen preferred OP units	1,284	1,284
Series A-4 preferred OP units	410	422
Series C preferred OP units	314	316
Total securities	6,647	6,228

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

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.

Level 1—Quoted unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets;

Level 3—Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

Marketable Securities

Installment Notes Receivable on Manufactured Homes

Long-Term Debt and Lines of Credit

Collateralized Receivables and Secured Borrowings

Financial Liabilities

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.



	March 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
Financial assets	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Marketable securities	$	50,501	$	50,501	$	49,037	$	49,037
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net	$	109,256	$	109,256	$	112,798	$	112,798
Collateralized receivables, net	$	101,938	$	101,938	$	106,924	$	106,924
Financial liabilities
Debt (excluding secured borrowings)	$	2,948,929	$	2,906,358	$	2,888,572	$	2,757,649
Secured borrowings	$	102,676	$	102,676	$	107,731	$	107,731
Lines of credit	$	396,512	$	396,512	$	128,000	$	128,000
Other liabilities (contingent consideration)	$	4,702	$	4,702	$	4,640	$	4,640

- Definition

+ References + Details

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Adopted

Lessor Accounting

Lessee Accounting

On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” Refer to Note 2, “Revenue” for information regarding our adoption of this guidance.

The following table reconciles our beginning-of-period and end-of-period balances of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash for the periods shown (in thousands):



	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018		March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents	$	21,946	$	50,311	$	15,153	$	10,127
Restricted cash	12,229		11,951		12,271		13,382
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	34,175	$	62,262	$	27,424	$	23,509

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Not Yet Adopted

Commitments And Contingencies	3 Months Ended
Commitments And Contingencies	Mar. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Legal Proceedings We are involved in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. All such proceedings, taken together, are not expected to have a material adverse impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

Leases

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

Lessee accounting:

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of the quarter ended March 31, 2019 where we are the lessee include:



	Operating Leases			Finance Leases
2019 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2019)	$	1,766		$	112
2020	2,397			120
2021	2,446			120
2022	2,483			120
2023	2,509			120
Thereafter	13,725			4,060
Total undiscounted lease payments	$	25,326		$	4,652
Less: Imputed interest	(6,213		)	(539		)
Total lease liabilities	$	19,113		$	4,113

Lease expense, as included in our consolidated statement of operations for the respective periods and additional information regarding lease terms are as follows (in thousands except*):



	March 31, 2019				March 31, 2018
Lease expense				Lease expense
Finance lease expense:				Capital lease expense:
Amortization of right - of-use assets	$	18		Amortization of lease	$	18
Interest on lease liabilities	26			Interest on lease liabilities	26
Operating lease expense	822			Operating lease expense	851
Variable lease expense	319			Below market ground lease amortization expense	223
Total lease expense	1,185				267

Other information				Other information
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities				Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flow used for operating leases	450			Operating cash flow used for operating leases	549
Financing cash flow used for finance leases	8			Financing cash flow used for finance leases	8
Right of use asset obtained (land) in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	4,116

	March 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
Right of use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	18,775
Right of use asset obtained relative to below market operating leases	28,930			Below market ground lease intangibles asset	29,118
Total right of use asset from operating leases	47,705

Weighted - average remaining lease term - finance leases (in years)*	5.25
Weighted - average remaining lease term - operating leases (in years)*	13.56
Weighted - average discount rate - finance leases (annual)*	2.50		%
Weighted - average discount rate - operating leases (annual)*	4.11		%

Lessor Accounting:

Leases

Lessee accounting:

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of the quarter ended March 31, 2019 where we are the lessee include:



	Operating Leases			Finance Leases
2019 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2019)	$	1,766		$	112
2020	2,397			120
2021	2,446			120
2022	2,483			120
2023	2,509			120
Thereafter	13,725			4,060
Total undiscounted lease payments	$	25,326		$	4,652
Less: Imputed interest	(6,213		)	(539		)
Total lease liabilities	$	19,113		$	4,113

Lease expense, as included in our consolidated statement of operations for the respective periods and additional information regarding lease terms are as follows (in thousands except*):



	March 31, 2019				March 31, 2018
Lease expense				Lease expense
Finance lease expense:				Capital lease expense:
Amortization of right - of-use assets	$	18		Amortization of lease	$	18
Interest on lease liabilities	26			Interest on lease liabilities	26
Operating lease expense	822			Operating lease expense	851
Variable lease expense	319			Below market ground lease amortization expense	223
Total lease expense	1,185				267

Other information				Other information
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities				Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flow used for operating leases	450			Operating cash flow used for operating leases	549
Financing cash flow used for finance leases	8			Financing cash flow used for finance leases	8
Right of use asset obtained (land) in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	4,116

	March 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
Right of use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	18,775
Right of use asset obtained relative to below market operating leases	28,930			Below market ground lease intangibles asset	29,118
Total right of use asset from operating leases	47,705

Weighted - average remaining lease term - finance leases (in years)*	5.25
Weighted - average remaining lease term - operating leases (in years)*	13.56
Weighted - average discount rate - finance leases (annual)*	2.50		%
Weighted - average discount rate - operating leases (annual)*	4.11		%

Lessor Accounting:

Leases

Lessee accounting:

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of the quarter ended March 31, 2019 where we are the lessee include:



	Operating Leases			Finance Leases
2019 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2019)	$	1,766		$	112
2020	2,397			120
2021	2,446			120
2022	2,483			120
2023	2,509			120
Thereafter	13,725			4,060
Total undiscounted lease payments	$	25,326		$	4,652
Less: Imputed interest	(6,213		)	(539		)
Total lease liabilities	$	19,113		$	4,113

Lease expense, as included in our consolidated statement of operations for the respective periods and additional information regarding lease terms are as follows (in thousands except*):



	March 31, 2019				March 31, 2018
Lease expense				Lease expense
Finance lease expense:				Capital lease expense:
Amortization of right - of-use assets	$	18		Amortization of lease	$	18
Interest on lease liabilities	26			Interest on lease liabilities	26
Operating lease expense	822			Operating lease expense	851
Variable lease expense	319			Below market ground lease amortization expense	223
Total lease expense	1,185				267

Other information				Other information
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities				Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flow used for operating leases	450			Operating cash flow used for operating leases	549
Financing cash flow used for finance leases	8			Financing cash flow used for finance leases	8
Right of use asset obtained (land) in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	4,116

	March 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
Right of use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	18,775
Right of use asset obtained relative to below market operating leases	28,930			Below market ground lease intangibles asset	29,118
Total right of use asset from operating leases	47,705

Weighted - average remaining lease term - finance leases (in years)*	5.25
Weighted - average remaining lease term - operating leases (in years)*	13.56
Weighted - average discount rate - finance leases (annual)*	2.50		%
Weighted - average discount rate - operating leases (annual)*	4.11		%

Lessor Accounting:

Subsequent Event	3 Months Ended
Subsequent Event	Mar. 31, 2019
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	Subsequent Events Subsequent to the quarter ended March 31, 2019, we acquired a RV community located in New Hampshire for $2.7 million. We have evaluated our Consolidated Financial Statements for subsequent events through the date that this Form 10-Q was issued.

Revenue (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following tables details our revenue by major source (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019						Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	Real Property Operations		Home Sales and Rentals		Consolidated		Real Property Operations		Home Sales and Rentals		Consolidated
REVENUE
Income from real property	$	216,779	$	—	$	216,779	$	197,211	$	—	$	197,211
Revenue from home sales	—		39,618		39,618		—		34,900		34,900
Rental home revenue	—		13,971		13,971		—		13,020		13,020
Ancillary revenues	8,482		—		8,482		6,568		—		6,568
Interest	4,800		—		4,800		5,316		—		5,316
Brokerage commissions and other revenues, net	3,680		—		3,680		960		—		960
Total revenue	$	233,741	$	53,589	$	287,330	$	210,055	$	47,920	$	257,975

Real Estate Acquisitions (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition

In 2019 we acquired the following communities:

Community Name

Type

Sites

Development Sites

State

Month Acquired

Massey’s Landing RV

291

—

February

Shelby Properties⁽¹⁾

1,308

—

February

Buena Vista

400

—

February

Country Village Estates ⁽²⁾

518

—

January

Hid’n Pines RV

321

—

January

Hacienda del Rio

MH (Age-Restricted)

730

January

Total

3,568

⁽¹⁾ Contains two MH communities.

Community Name

Type

Sites

Development Sites

State

Month Acquired

Leaf Verde RV Resort

376

—

October

Archview

114

August

Petoskey KOA

210

—

August

The Sands RV and Golf Resort

RV (Age Restricted)

507

—

July

Sun NG RV Resorts LLC ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾

2,700

940

Various

June

Silver Creek

264

176

June

Highway West ⁽¹⁾

536

—

UT & OR

June

Compass RV

175

—

May

Total

4,882

1,166

⁽¹⁾Highway West and Sun NG RV Resorts LLC are comprised of 4 RV and 10 RV resorts, respectively.

In 2018, we acquired the following land for expansion / development:



Name	Location	Type	Expansion / Development Sites	Cost (millions)		Month Acquired
Ocean West	McKinleyville, CA	MH	26	$	0.2	December
Water Oak Country Club Estates	Lady Lake, FL	MH	296	$	1.9	November
Oak Crest	Austin, TX	MH	220	$	4.2	October
Pecan Park	Jacksonville, FL	RV	158	$	1.3	September
Smith Creek Crossing	Granby, CO	MH	310	$	0.9	September
Apple Carr	Egelston, MI	MH	121	$	0.2	May
River Run Ranch	Granby, CO	MH / RV	1,144	$	5.3	May
		Total	2,275	$	14.0

Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation



At Acquisition Date ⁽¹⁾	Massey's Landing			Shelby Properties			Buena Vista			Country Village		Hid'n Pines			Hacienda del Rio			Total
Investment in property	$	20,000		$	85,969		$	20,221		$	62,784	$	10,680		$	111,971		$	311,625
Inventory of manufactured homes	—			2,011			439			—		—			15			2,465
In-place leases and other intangible assets	—			6,520			1,590			2,020		70			3,280			13,480
Other assets (liabilities), net	(446		)	(1,015		)	(93		)	31		(233		)	(237		)	(1,993		)
Total identifiable assets acquired net of liabilities assumed	$	19,554		$	93,485		$	22,157		$	64,835	$	10,517		$	115,029		$	325,577


Consideration
Cash and escrow	$	19,554		$	93,485		$	22,157		$	12,905	$	10,517		$	115,029		$	273,647
Series D Preferred OP units	—			—			—			51,930		—			—			51,930
Total consideration	$	19,554		$	93,485		$	22,157		$	64,835	$	10,517		$	115,029		$	325,577



At Acquisition Date	Leaf Verde		Archview		Petoskey KOA		Sands		Sun NG Resorts			Silver Creek		Highway West		Compass		Total
Investment in property	$	11,587	$	14,550	$	8,730	$	13,790	$	240,649		$	7,250	$	36,500	$	13,930	$	346,986
In-place leases and other intangible assets	60		—		270		460		16,339			—		—		70		17,199
Debt assumed	—		—		—		—		(3,120		)	—		—		—		(3,120		)
Other liabilities, net	—		—		—		—		(11,990		)	—		—		—		(11,990		)
Total identifiable assets acquired net of liabilities assumed	$	11,647	$	14,550	$	9,000	$	14,250	$	241,878		$	7,250	$	36,500	$	14,000	$	349,075

Consideration
Cash	$	11,647	$	14,550	$	9,000	$	14,250	$	184,625		$	7,250	$	36,500	$	14,000	$	291,822
Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts	—		—		—		—		35,277			—		—		—		35,277
Equity Interests - NG Sun LLC	—		—		—		—		21,976			—		—		—		21,976
Total consideration	$	11,647	$	14,550	$	9,000	$	14,250	$	241,878		$	7,250	$	36,500	$	14,000	$	349,075

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	(unaudited)
Total revenues	$	3,764
Net income	$	1,317



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	(unaudited)
	2019		2018
Total revenues	$	289,253	$	263,706
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	34,885	$	31,732
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic	$	0.41	$	0.40
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted	$	0.41	$	0.40

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]

Repurchase price percentage



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

Schedule of collateralized loans



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Beginning balance	$	107,731
Principal payments and payoffs from our customers	(3,109		)
Principal reduction from repurchased homes	(1,946		)
Total activity	(5,055		)
Ending balance	$	102,676

Collateralized Receivables [Member]

Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]

Allowance for collateralized and installment notes receivable

The following table sets forth the allowance for the collateralized receivables as of March 31, 2019 (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Beginning balance	$	(807	)
Lower of cost or market write-downs	45
Decrease to reserve balance	24
Total activity	69
Ending balance	$	(738	)

Notes And Other Receivables (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]

Schedule of notes and other receivables

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



	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net	$	109,256	$	112,798
Other receivables, net	70,558		47,279
Total notes and other receivables, net	$	179,814	$	160,077

Schedule of Installment Notes Receivable

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



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Beginning balance	$	113,495
Investment in installment notes	63
Principal payments and payoffs from customers	(1,653		)
Principal reduction from repossessed homes	(1,994		)
Total activity	(3,584		)
Ending balance	$	109,911

Installment Notes Receivable [Member]

Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]

Allowance for collateralized and installment notes receivable

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



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Beginning balance	$	(697	)
Lower of cost or market write-downs	57
Increase to reserve balance	(15		)
Total activity	42
Ending balance	$	(655	)

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets

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



		March 31, 2019					December 31, 2018
Intangible Asset	Useful Life	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
In-place leases	7 years	117,544		(62,740		)	103,547		(59,068		)
Franchise agreements and other intangible assets	7-20 years	16,944		(2,146		)	16,641		(1,942		)
Total		$	134,488	$	(64,886	)	$	120,188	$	(61,010	)

Schedule of Intangible Assets Amortization Expense

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



	Three Months Ended March 31,
Intangible Asset	2019		2018
In-place leases	3,672		3,490
Franchise agreements and other intangible assets	205		19
Total	$	3,877	$	3,509

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense

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



	Year
	Remainder of 2019		2020		2021		2022		2023
Estimated expense	$	11,850	$	14,144	$	13,752	$	9,151	$	5,776

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

DisclosureofVariableInterestEntities [Abstract]

Schedule of Variable Interest Entities

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



	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
ASSETS
Investment property, net	$	314,669	$	308,171
Other assets, net	22,369		19,809
Total Assets	$	337,038	$	327,980

LIABILITIES AND OTHER EQUITY
Debt	$	43,913	$	44,172
Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts - mandatorily redeemable	35,249		35,277
Other liabilities	21,049		6,914
Total Liabilities	100,211		86,363
Equity Interests - NG Sun LLC	22,167		21,976
Noncontrolling interests	6,198		7,145
Total Liabilities and Other Equity	$	128,576	$	115,484

- Definition

+ References + Details

Debt And Lines Of Credit (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of debt and lines of credit [Table Text Block]

The following table sets forth certain information regarding debt including premiums, discounts and deferred financing costs (in thousands):



	Carrying Amount				Weighted Average Years to Maturity		Weighted Average Interest Rates
	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018		March 31, 2019	December 31, 2018	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Collateralized term loans - Life Companies	$	1,330,591	$	1,259,158	16.7	14.4	4.0	%	3.9	%
Collateralized term loans - FNMA	765,391		770,417		4.9	5.1	4.4	%	4.4	%
Collateralized term loans - CMBS	403,878		405,702		3.8	4.1	5.1	%	5.1	%
Collateralized term loans - FMCC	379,157		380,680		5.6	5.9	3.9	%	3.9	%
Secured borrowings	102,676		107,731		14.2	14.4	9.9	%	9.9	%
Lines of credit	396,512		128,000		2.1	2.3	3.7	%	3.8	%
Preferred Equity - Sun NG Resorts - mandatorily redeemable	35,249		35,277		3.5	3.8	6.0	%	6.0	%
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	34,663		37,338		4.8	4.7	6.5	%	6.6	%
Total debt	$	3,448,117	$	3,124,303	9.3	9.0	4.4	%	4.5	%

Equity and Temporary Equity (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Sale of Common Stock

ssuances of common stock under the Sales Agreement during 2019.

Activity of Conversions



		Three Months Ended March 31, 2019		Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Series	Conversion Rate	Units/Shares Converted	Common Stock	Units/Shares Converted	Common Stock
Common OP unit	1	6,533	6,533	6,777	6,777
Series A-1 preferred OP unit	2.439	3,950	9,633	3,700	9,023
Series A-4 preferred OP unit	0.4444	—	—	2,373	1,054

Schedule of Dividends Payable



Cash Distributions	Record Date	Payment Date	Distribution per Share		Total Distribution (thousands)
Common Stock, Common OP units and Restricted Stock	3/29/2019	4/15/2019	$	0.75	$	66,886
Series A-4 Preferred Stock	3/15/2019	4/1/2019	$	0.40625	$	432

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Schedule of Restricted Stock Granted

The following table shows details on grants of equity awards during the three months ended March 31, 2019:



Grant Period	Type	Plan	Shares Granted	Grant Date Fair Value Per Share			Vesting Type	Vesting Anniversary	Percentage

2019	Executive Officers	2015 Equity Incentive Plan	44,000	$	115.39	(1)	Time Based	20.0% annually over 5 years
2019	Executive Officers	2015 Equity Incentive Plan	66,000	$	86.71	(2)	Market Condition	3rd	100.0	%
2019	Directors	2004 Non-Employee Director Option Plan	18,000	$	113.68	(1)	Time Based	3rd	100.0	%

⁽¹⁾The fair value of the grants were determined by using the average closing price of our common stock on the dates the shares were issued.

Segment Reporting (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment

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



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019									Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	Real Property Operations			Home Sales and Rentals			Consolidated			Real Property Operations			Home Sales and Rentals			Consolidated
Revenues	$	225,261		$	53,589		$	278,850		$	203,779		$	47,920		$	251,699
Operating expenses/Cost of sales	80,340			34,065			114,405			70,849			31,798			102,647
Net operating income/Gross profit	144,921			19,524			164,445			132,930			16,122			149,052
Adjustments to arrive at net income / (loss):
Interest and other revenues, net	8,480			—			8,480			6,276			—			6,276
Home selling expenses	—			(3,324		)	(3,324		)	—			(3,290		)	(3,290		)
General and administrative	(19,234		)	(2,653		)	(21,887		)	(17,187		)	(2,570		)	(19,757		)
Depreciation and amortization	(58,245		)	(18,311		)	(76,556		)	(50,508		)	(15,929		)	(66,437		)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(653		)	—			(653		)	(196		)	—			(196		)
Interest	(34,010		)	(4		)	(34,014		)	(31,134		)	(4		)	(31,138		)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity	(1,094		)	—			(1,094		)	(619		)	—			(619		)
Catastrophic weather related charges, net	(782		)	—			(782		)	2,357			(144		)	2,213
Remeasurement of marketable securities	267			—			267			—			—			—
Income / (loss) from nonconsolidated affiliates	—			344			344			—			(59		)	(59		)
Other income / (expense), net	1,860			38			1,898			(2,616		)	(1		)	(2,617		)
Current tax expense	(122		)	(92		)	(214		)	(96		)	(78		)	(174		)
Deferred tax benefit	217			—			217			347			—			347
Net income / (loss)	41,605			(4,478		)	37,127			39,554			(5,953		)	33,601
Less: Preferred return to preferred OP units / equity	1,323			—			1,323			1,080			—			1,080
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,259			(218		)	1,041			2,394			(300		)	2,094
Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	39,023			(4,260		)	34,763			36,080			(5,653		)	30,427
Less: Preferred stock distributions	432			—			432			441			—			441
Net income / (loss) attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$	38,591		$	(4,260	)	$	34,331		$	35,639		$	(5,653	)	$	29,986

Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated



	March 31, 2019								December 31, 2018
	Real Property Operations				Home Sales and Rentals		Consolidated		Real Property Operations		Home Sales and Rentals		Consolidated
Identifiable assets:
Investment property, net	$	5,929,030			$	542,226	$	6,471,256	$	5,586,444	$	531,872	$	6,118,316
Cash and cash equivalents	(7,233		)		29,179		21,946		24,343		25,968		50,311
Marketable securities	50,501			—	—		50,501		49,037		—		49,037
Inventory of manufactured homes	—				52,993		52,993		—		49,199		49,199
Notes and other receivables, net	163,362				16,452		179,814		145,673		14,404		160,077
Collateralized receivables, net	101,938				—		101,938		106,924		—		106,924
Other assets, net	165,743				54,471		220,214		140,027		36,135		176,162
Total assets	$	6,403,341			$	695,321	$	7,098,662	$	6,052,448	$	657,578	$	6,710,026

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

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

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



	Three Months Ended March 31,
Numerator	2019			2018
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	34,331		$	29,986
Allocation to restricted stock awards	(437		)	(303		)
Basic earnings: Net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation	33,894			29,683
Allocation to restricted stock awards	437			303
Diluted earnings: Net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation	$	34,331		$	29,986

Denominator
Weighted average common shares outstanding	85,520			78,855
Add: dilutive stock options	1			2
Add: dilutive restricted stock	512			607
Diluted weighted average common shares and securities	86,033			79,464
Earnings per share available to common stockholders after allocation:
Basic	$	0.40		$	0.38
Diluted	$	0.40		$	0.38

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

The following table presents the outstanding securities that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as of March 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):



	As of March 31,
	2019	2018
Common OP units	2,719	2,739
Series A-4 preferred stock	1,063	1,085
Series A-3 preferred OP units	40	40
Series A-1 preferred OP units	328	342
Series D preferred OP units	489	—
Aspen preferred OP units	1,284	1,284
Series A-4 preferred OP units	410	422
Series C preferred OP units	314	316
Total securities	6,647	6,228

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping



	March 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
Financial assets	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Marketable securities	$	50,501	$	50,501	$	49,037	$	49,037
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net	$	109,256	$	109,256	$	112,798	$	112,798
Collateralized receivables, net	$	101,938	$	101,938	$	106,924	$	106,924
Financial liabilities
Debt (excluding secured borrowings)	$	2,948,929	$	2,906,358	$	2,888,572	$	2,757,649
Secured borrowings	$	102,676	$	102,676	$	107,731	$	107,731
Lines of credit	$	396,512	$	396,512	$	128,000	$	128,000
Other liabilities (contingent consideration)	$	4,702	$	4,702	$	4,640	$	4,640

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The following table reconciles our beginning-of-period and end-of-period balances of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash for the periods shown (in thousands):



	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018		March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents	$	21,946	$	50,311	$	15,153	$	10,127
Restricted cash	12,229		11,951		12,271		13,382
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	34,175	$	62,262	$	27,424	$	23,509

Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The following table reconciles our beginning-of-period and end-of-period balances of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash for the periods shown (in thousands):



	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018		March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents	$	21,946	$	50,311	$	15,153	$	10,127
Restricted cash	12,229		11,951		12,271		13,382
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	34,175	$	62,262	$	27,424	$	23,509

Leases (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Leases [Abstract]

Lease, Cost [Table Text Block]

Lease expense, as included in our consolidated statement of operations for the respective periods and additional information regarding lease terms are as follows (in thousands except*):



	March 31, 2019				March 31, 2018
Lease expense				Lease expense
Finance lease expense:				Capital lease expense:
Amortization of right - of-use assets	$	18		Amortization of lease	$	18
Interest on lease liabilities	26			Interest on lease liabilities	26
Operating lease expense	822			Operating lease expense	851
Variable lease expense	319			Below market ground lease amortization expense	223
Total lease expense	1,185				267

Other information				Other information
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities				Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flow used for operating leases	450			Operating cash flow used for operating leases	549
Financing cash flow used for finance leases	8			Financing cash flow used for finance leases	8
Right of use asset obtained (land) in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	4,116

	March 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
Right of use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	18,775
Right of use asset obtained relative to below market operating leases	28,930			Below market ground lease intangibles asset	29,118
Total right of use asset from operating leases	47,705

Weighted - average remaining lease term - finance leases (in years)*	5.25
Weighted - average remaining lease term - operating leases (in years)*	13.56
Weighted - average discount rate - finance leases (annual)*	2.50		%
Weighted - average discount rate - operating leases (annual)*	4.11		%

Finance Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block]

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of the quarter ended March 31, 2019 where we are the lessee include:



	Operating Leases			Finance Leases
2019 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2019)	$	1,766		$	112
2020	2,397			120
2021	2,446			120
2022	2,483			120
2023	2,509			120
Thereafter	13,725			4,060
Total undiscounted lease payments	$	25,326		$	4,652
Less: Imputed interest	(6,213		)	(539		)
Total lease liabilities	$	19,113		$	4,113

Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block]

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of the quarter ended March 31, 2019 where we are the lessee include:



	Operating Leases			Finance Leases
2019 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2019)	$	1,766		$	112
2020	2,397			120
2021	2,446			120
2022	2,483			120
2023	2,509			120
Thereafter	13,725			4,060
Total undiscounted lease payments	$	25,326		$	4,652
Less: Imputed interest	(6,213		)	(539		)
Total lease liabilities	$	19,113		$	4,113

Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	$ 216,779	$ 197,211
Revenues	287,330	257,975
Income From Real Property [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	216,779	197,211
Revenue From Home Sales [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	39,618	34,900
Rental Home Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	13,971	13,020
Ancillary Revenues [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	8,482	6,568
Interest [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	4,800	5,316
Brokerage Commissions And Other Revenues, Net [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	3,680	960
Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	233,741	210,055
Real Property Operations Segment [Member] \| Income From Real Property [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	216,779	197,211
Real Property Operations Segment [Member] \| Revenue From Home Sales [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	0	0
Real Property Operations Segment [Member] \| Rental Home Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	0	0
Real Property Operations Segment [Member] \| Ancillary Revenues [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	8,482	6,568
Real Property Operations Segment [Member] \| Interest [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	4,800	5,316
Real Property Operations Segment [Member] \| Brokerage Commissions And Other Revenues, Net [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	3,680	960
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	53,589	47,920
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] \| Income From Real Property [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	0	0
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] \| Revenue From Home Sales [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	39,618	34,900
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] \| Rental Home Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	13,971	13,020
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] \| Ancillary Revenues [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	0	0
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] \| Interest [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	0	0
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] \| Brokerage Commissions And Other Revenues, Net [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Income from real property	$ 0	$ 0

Revenue Contract Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Revenue Contract Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Contract with Customer, Asset, Reclassified to Receivable	$ 18.0	$ 16.1

Real Estate Acquisitions, Schedule of Properties Acquired (Details)	Mar. 31, 2019 site development_site shares	Dec. 31, 2018 site development_site
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site	3,568	4,882
Development Sites \| development_site	70	1,166
Massey's Landing [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site	291
Development Sites \| development_site	0
Leaf Verde RV Resort [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site		376
Development Sites \| development_site		0
Archview [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site		114
Development Sites \| development_site		50
Petoskey RV Resort [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site		210
Development Sites \| development_site		0
The Sands [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site		507
Development Sites \| development_site		0
Sun NG RV Resorts [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site		2,700
Development Sites \| development_site		940
Silver Creek [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site		264
Development Sites \| development_site		176
Highway West [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site		536
Development Sites \| development_site		0
Compass [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site		175
Development Sites \| development_site		0
Shelby Properties [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site	1,308
Development Sites \| development_site	0
Buena Vista [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site	400
Development Sites \| development_site	0
Country Village [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site	518
Development Sites \| development_site	0
Hid'n Pines [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site	321
Development Sites \| development_site	0
Hacienda del Rio [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sites \| site	730
Development Sites \| development_site	70
Series D Preferred OP Units
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Shares outstanding \| shares	488,958

Real Estate Acquisitions, Schedule of Other Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs	$ 5,100
At acquistion date
Investment in property	311,625	$ 346,986
Inventory of manufactured homes	2,465
In-place leases and other intangible assets	13,480	17,199
Other assets (liabilities), net	(1,993)	(11,990)
Debt assumed		(3,120)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	325,577	349,075
Consideration
Cash	273,647	291,822
Equity	51,930	35,277
Total consideration transferred	325,577	349,075
sui_chulavistamember [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property	300
Massey's Landing [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property	20,000
Inventory of manufactured homes	0
In-place leases and other intangible assets	0
Other assets (liabilities), net	(446)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	19,554
Consideration
Cash	19,554
Equity	0
Total consideration transferred	19,554
Shelby Properties [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property	85,969
Inventory of manufactured homes	2,011
In-place leases and other intangible assets	6,520
Other assets (liabilities), net	(1,015)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	93,485
Consideration
Cash	93,485
Equity	0
Total consideration transferred	93,485
Silver Creek [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property		7,250
In-place leases and other intangible assets		0
Other assets (liabilities), net		0
Debt assumed		0
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		7,250
Consideration
Cash		7,250
Equity		0
Total consideration transferred		7,250
Highway West [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property		36,500
In-place leases and other intangible assets		0
Other assets (liabilities), net		0
Debt assumed		0
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		36,500
Consideration
Cash		36,500
Equity		0
Total consideration transferred		36,500
Compass [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property		13,930
In-place leases and other intangible assets		70
Other assets (liabilities), net		0
Debt assumed		0
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		14,000
Consideration
Cash		14,000
Equity		0
Total consideration transferred		14,000
Leaf Verde RV Resort [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property		11,587
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		11,647
Consideration
Cash		11,647
Total consideration transferred		11,647
Archview [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property		14,550
In-place leases and other intangible assets		0
Other assets (liabilities), net		0
Debt assumed		0
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		14,550
Consideration
Cash		14,550
Equity		0
Total consideration transferred		14,550
Petoskey RV Resort [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property		8,730
In-place leases and other intangible assets		270
Other assets (liabilities), net		0
Debt assumed		0
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		9,000
Consideration
Cash		9,000
Equity		0
Total consideration transferred		9,000
The Sands [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property		13,790
In-place leases and other intangible assets		460
Other assets (liabilities), net		0
Debt assumed		0
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		14,250
Consideration
Cash		14,250
Equity		0
Total consideration transferred		14,250
Sun NG RV Resorts [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property		240,649
In-place leases and other intangible assets		16,339
Other assets (liabilities), net		(11,990)
Debt assumed		(3,120)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed		241,878
Consideration
Cash		184,625
Equity	35,277
Total consideration transferred		241,878
Buena Vista [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property	20,221
Inventory of manufactured homes	439
In-place leases and other intangible assets	1,590
Other assets (liabilities), net	(93)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	22,157
Consideration
Cash	22,157
Equity	0
Total consideration transferred	22,157
Country Village [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property	62,784
Inventory of manufactured homes	0
In-place leases and other intangible assets	2,020
Other assets (liabilities), net	31
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	64,835
Consideration
Cash	12,905
Equity	51,930
Total consideration transferred	64,835
Hid'n Pines [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property	10,680
Inventory of manufactured homes	0
In-place leases and other intangible assets	70
Other assets (liabilities), net	(233)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	10,517
Consideration
Cash	10,517
Equity	0
Total consideration transferred	10,517
Hacienda del Rio [Member]
At acquistion date
Investment in property	111,971
Inventory of manufactured homes	15
In-place leases and other intangible assets	3,280
Other assets (liabilities), net	(237)
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	115,029
Consideration
Cash	115,029
Equity	0
Total consideration transferred	$ 115,029
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Consideration
Equity		21,976
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] \| Silver Creek [Member]
Consideration
Equity		0
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] \| Highway West [Member]
Consideration
Equity		0
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] \| Compass [Member]
Consideration
Equity		0
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] \| Archview [Member]
Consideration
Equity		0
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] \| Petoskey RV Resort [Member]
Consideration
Equity		0
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] \| The Sands [Member]
Consideration
Equity		0
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] \| Sun NG RV Resorts [Member]
Consideration
Equity		$ 21,976

Real Estate Acquisitions, Schedule of Land Acquired (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) development_site
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Development Sites \| development_site	2,275
Cost \| $	$ 14.0
Ocean West [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Development Sites \| development_site	26
Cost \| $	$ 0.2
Water Oak [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Development Sites \| development_site	296
Cost \| $	$ 1.9
Oak Crest [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Development Sites \| development_site	220
Cost \| $	$ 4.2
Pecan Park [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Development Sites \| development_site	158
Cost \| $	$ 1.3
Smith Creek Crossing [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Development Sites \| development_site	310
Cost \| $	$ 0.9
Apple Carr Village [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Development Sites \| development_site	121
Cost \| $	$ 0.2
River Run Ranch [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Development Sites \| development_site	1,144
Cost \| $	$ 5.3

Real Estate Acquisitions, Pro Forma (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 3,764
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	1,317
Acquisitions - 2019 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenues	289,253	$ 263,706
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	$ 34,885	$ 31,732
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic	$ 0.41	$ 0.40
Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted	$ 0.41	$ 0.40

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets, Repurchase price percentage (Details) - Collateralized Receivables [Member]	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Less than or equal to 15 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Repurchase Percentage	100.00%
Greater than 15 but less than 64 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Repurchase Percentage	90.00%
Equal to or greater than 64 but less than 120 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Repurchase Percentage	65.00%
120 or more [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Repurchase Percentage	50.00%

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets, Schedule of collateralized loans (Details) - Collateralized Receivables [Member] $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Principal payments and payoffs from our customers	$ (3,109)
Principal reduction from repurchased homes	1,946
Total activity	(5,055)
Ending balance	102,676
Secured Debt [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning balance	107,700
Ending balance	$ 102,676

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets, Allowance for Collateralized Receivables (Details) - Collateralized Receivables [Member] $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ (807)
Lower of cost or market write-downs	45
Increase to reserve balance	24
Total activity	69
Ending balance	$ (738)

Collateralized Receivables and Transfers of Financial Assets, Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes and other receivables, net	$ 179,814		$ 160,077
Other Borrowings			107,731
Interest income and expense, net	2,400	$ 2,800
Collateralized Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	$ (738)		$ (807)
Receivable With Imputed Interest, Term	13 years 10 months 24 days		14 years 1 month 6 days
Financing Receivable, Gross	$ 102,676
Receivable with Imputed Interest, Effective Yield (Interest Rate)	9.90%
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Collateralized Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes and other receivables, net	$ 101,900		$ 106,900
Secured Debt [Member] \| Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Other Borrowings			107,731
Secured Debt [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Collateralized Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	$ 102,676		$ 107,700

Notes and Other Receivables, Schedule of notes and other receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total notes and other receivables, net	$ 179,814	$ 160,077
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total notes and other receivables, net	109,300	112,800
Other receivables, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total notes and other receivables, net	$ 70,558	47,279
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		$ 112,798

Notes And Other Receivables Notes and Other Receivables, Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net	$ 179,814	$ 160,077
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net	109,300	112,800
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	$ (700)	$ (700)
Receivable with Imputed Interest, Effective Yield (Interest Rate)	8.00%	8.00%
Receivable With Imputed Interest, Term	16 years 4 months 24 days	16 years 7 months 6 days
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net		$ 112,798
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net	$ 109,256	$ 112,798
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net	$ 109,256

Notes and Other Receivables, Schedule of installment notes receivable (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Collateralized receivables, net and Installment Notes Receivables on Manufactured Homes [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Increase to reserve balance	$ 15
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, gross [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning balance	113,495
Financed sales of manufactured homes	63
Principal payments and payoffs from our customers	(1,653)
Principal reduction from repossessed homes	1,994
Total activity	(3,584)
Ending balance	$ 109,911

Notes and Other Receivables, Allowance for installment notes receivable (Details) - Collateralized receivables, net and Installment Notes Receivables on Manufactured Homes [Member] $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 697
Lower of cost or market write-downs	57
Increase to reserve balance	15
Total activity	42
Ending balance	$ (655)

Notes And Other Receivables Notes and Other Receivables, Other receivables - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Other receivables for rent, water, sewer usage	$ 13.0	$ 7.1
Allowance for rent, water, sewer usage receivables		(1.5)
Contract with Customer, Asset, Reclassified to Receivable	18.0	16.1
Insurance receivables	18.5	$ 24.1
Other Receivables	$ 21.1

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets, Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 134,488	$ 120,188
Accumulated Amortization	$ (64,886)	(61,010)
Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	7 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 117,544	103,547
Accumulated Amortization	(62,740)	(59,068)
Franchise Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	16,944	16,641
Accumulated Amortization	$ (2,146)	$ (1,942)
Minimum [Member] \| Ground Leases [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	2 years
Minimum [Member] \| Franchise Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	7 years
Maximum [Member] \| Ground Leases [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	75 years
Maximum [Member] \| Franchise Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	20 years

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets, Schedule of Intangible Asset Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 3,877	$ 3,509
Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	3,672	3,490
Franchise Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 205	$ 19

Intangible Assets, Intangibles Future Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Remainder of 2019	$ 11,850
2018	14,144
2019	13,752
2020	9,151
2021	$ 5,776

Investment In Affiliates , Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Jan. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Nov. 30, 2018
RezPlot [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage			50.00%
Net income from investment	$ (0.2)
Investment carrying value	5.3
Sungenia JV [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage					50.00%
Net income from investment	(0.1)
Investment carrying value	$ 2.2			$ 0.7
GTSC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	40.00%
Net income from investment	$ 0.5	$ (0.1)
Investment carrying value	37.9			$ 29.8
Origen Financial Services [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage				22.90%
Net income from investment	0.1	$ 0.0
Investment carrying value	$ 0.1

- Definition

+ References + Details

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities, Schedule of Variable Interest Entities (Details)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) properties site sites Rate	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) site Rate
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment property, net		$ 6,471,256,000	$ 6,118,316,000
Other assets, net (including $22,369 and $19,809 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)		220,214,000	176,162,000
Mortgage loans payable (including $43,913 and $44,172 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)		2,879,017,000	2,815,957,000
Other liabilities (including $21,049 and $6,914 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)		179,461,000	157,862,000
Liabilities		3,846,325,000	3,479,112,000
Consolidated variable interest entities		$ 6,198,000	$ 7,145,000
VIE as a Percentage of Consolidated Assets \| Rate		4.70%	4.90%
VIE as a Percentage of Consolidated Liabilities \| Rate		2.60%	2.60%
VIE as a Percentage of Total Equity		1.00%
Sites \| site		3,568	4,882
Cash		$ 273,647,000	$ 291,822,000
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment property, net		314,669,000	308,171,000
Other assets, net (including $22,369 and $19,809 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)		22,369,000	19,809,000
Total Assets		337,038,000	327,980,000
Mortgage loans payable (including $43,913 and $44,172 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)		43,913,000	44,172,000
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable		35,249,000	35,277,000
Other liabilities (including $21,049 and $6,914 for consolidated variable interest entities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; see Note 8)		21,049,000	6,914,000
Liabilities		100,211,000	86,363,000
Equity Interests		22,167,000	21,976,000
Consolidated variable interest entities		6,198,000	7,145,000
Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity		128,576,000	$ 115,484,000
Northgate Additional Consideration [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash		$ 123,300,000
Northgate [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties		10
Sites \| sites		2,700
Northgate [Member] \| Sun NG RV Resorts [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage		80.00%
Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture	$ 61.6
Northgate [Member] \| NG Sun LLC [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage		20.00%
Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture	$ 15.4
Development Sites [Member] \| Northgate [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Sites \| sites		940
Ground Up Development [Member] \| Northgate [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties		1
Preferred Partner [Member] \| Northgate Additional Consideration [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash		$ 1,800,000
Bridge Loan [Member] \| Northgate Additional Consideration [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash		$ 121,500,000

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Schedule of debt and lines of credit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 2,879,017	$ 2,815,957		$ 2,815,957
Secured borrowings on collateralized receivables		$ 107,731		$ 107,731
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	9 years 3 months 18 days			9 years
Weighted average interest rate	4.40%	4.50%		4.50%
Lines of credit		$ 128,000		$ 128,000
Total debt	$ 3,448,117	3,124,303		3,124,303
Collateralized term loans - CMBS [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 765,391	$ 405,702		$ 405,702
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	4 years 10 months 24 days			4 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted average interest rate	4.40%	5.10%		5.10%
Secured borrowing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument term	25 years	20 years	20 years
Preferred OP units [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 34,663
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	$ 34,663	$ 37,338		$ 37,338
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	14 years 2 months 12 days			4 years 8 months 12 days
Weighted average interest rate	9.90%	6.60%		6.60%
Preferred Equity, Mandatorily Redeemable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable	$ 35,249	$ 35,277		$ 35,277
Debt instrument term	3 years 6 months
Debt weighted average to maturity, years				3 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted average interest rate	6.00%	6.00%		6.00%
Federal National Mortgage Association Certificates and Obligations (FNMA) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 379,157	$ 770,417		$ 770,417
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	5 years 7 months 6 days			5 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted average interest rate	3.90%	4.40%		4.40%
Life Companies [Member] \| Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 1,330,591	$ 1,259,158		$ 1,259,158
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	16 years 8 months 12 days			14 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted average interest rate	4.00%	3.90%		3.90%
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Certificates and Obligations (FHLMC) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 403,878	$ 380,680		$ 380,680
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	3 years 9 months 18 days			5 years 10 months 24 days
Weighted average interest rate	5.10%	3.90%		3.90%
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Secured borrowing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured debt	$ 102,676	$ 107,731		$ 107,731
Secured borrowings on collateralized receivables		$ 107,731		$ 107,731
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	4 years 9 months 18 days			14 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted average interest rate	6.50%	9.90%		9.90%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Lines of credit	$ 396,512
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt weighted average to maturity, years	2 years 1 month 6 days			2 years 3 months 18 days
Weighted average interest rate	3.70%	3.80%		3.80%

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Collateralized Term Loans (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) properties site sites	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) site	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($) community	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) community	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) site
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	$ 653				$ 196
Reduction in secured borrowing balance	$ 5,055				$ 5,105
Number of Real Estate Units Released \| community				11	3
Weighted average interest rate	4.40%	4.50%				4.50%
Sites \| site	3,568	4,882				4,882
Debt weighted average to maturity, length	9 years 3 months 18 days					9 years
Total debt	$ 2,879,017	$ 2,815,957				$ 2,815,957
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	700		$ 900	$ 1,500	$ 200
Reduction in secured borrowing balance	186,800	10,200	30,500	$ 177,700	$ 24,400
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 265,000	$ 21,700	$ 228,000			$ 21,700
Interest rate	383.00%	4.10%	6.34%	4.53%	6.36%	4.10%
Debt instrument term	25 years	20 years	20 years
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.17%	5.66%	4.10%			5.66%
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	4.40%	5.10%				5.10%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length	4 years 10 months 24 days					4 years 1 month 6 days
Total debt	$ 765,391	$ 405,702				$ 405,702
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net book value of properties securing collateralized term loans	$ 3,200,000
Properties securing debt [Member] \| Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Sites \| sites	72,964
Debt Instrument, number of properties securing a debt instument \| properties	185

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Aspen Preferred OP Units and Series B-3 preferred OP units (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2019 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) shares $ / shares Rate	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 $ / shares
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Rate Of Return		6.00%
Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Term		7 years
Preferred Equity, Mandatorily Redeemable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Value of Shares Issued		$ 35,300
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable			$ 35,249	$ 35,277
Preferred OP units [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable			34,663	37,338
Preferred OP units [Member] \| Convertible debt - Aspen Preferred OP Units January 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 34,700	34,700
Convertible units to shares (in shares) \| shares			430,260
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period \| Rate			6.50%
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price \| $ / shares			$ 27.00		$ 68.00
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Percent Of Amount By Which The Market Price Of Common Stock Exceeds Threshold			25.00%
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted \| shares			0.397
Series B-3 Preferred OP Units [Member] \| Convertible debt - Aspen Preferred OP Units January 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount				$ 2,700
Series B-3 Preferred OP Units [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares \| shares	26,750
Redemption price including accrued and unpaid dividends (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 100.153424
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Value	$ 2,700

Debt And Lines Of Credit , Narrative - Line of Credit (Details)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) Rate	Jun. 30, 2018 community	Mar. 31, 2018 community	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Apr. 25, 2017 USD ($) Rate
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Lines of credit					$ 128,000,000
Weighted average interest rate		4.40%			4.50%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length		9 years 3 months 18 days			9 years
Number of Real Estate Units Released \| community			11	3
Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity						$ 650,000,000.0
Line of credit, borrowing capacity						900,000,000.0
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Apr. 25, 2021
Line of credit, additional borrowing capacity						350,000,000.0
Letters of credit outstanding, amount		$ 3,900,000			$ 3,900,000
Line of credit - manufactured home floor plan facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity		12,000,000.0
Lines of credit		$ 3,500,000			$ 0
Weighted average interest rate \| Rate		7.00%
Prime Rate [Member] \| Line of credit - manufactured home floor plan facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis points \| Rate		100.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity						550,000,000.0
Long-term Debt		$ 393,000,000.0
Lines of credit		$ 396,512,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate		3.70%			3.80%
Debt weighted average to maturity, length		2 years 1 month 6 days			2 years 3 months 18 days
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Eurodollar [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit variable interest rate \| Rate		1.35%
Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity						$ 100,000,000.0
Minimum [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Eurodollar [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate \| Rate						1.35%
Maximum [Member] \| Prime Rate [Member] \| Line of credit - manufactured home floor plan facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate \| Rate		6.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Eurodollar [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate \| Rate						2.20%

Equity and Temporary Equity, Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands			1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		15 Months Ended
	Oct. 15, 2018	Oct. 01, 2018	Feb. 28, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Nov. 30, 2004
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock and common OP units, net					$ (4,321)	$ (3,296)	$ 163,800
Aggregate Value of Shares to be Issued in Accordance to Sales Agreement					$ 450,000
Commission, Maximum Percentage of Gross Sales Price Per Share According to Sales Agreement					2.00%
Series D Preferred OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Temporary Equity, Dividends For Term One, Percentage			3.75%
Series A-4 Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Dividends Per Share, Declared					$ 0.40625
Payments of dividends		$ 432
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends per common share					$ 0.75
Payments of dividends	$ 66,886
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock and common OP units, net					$ 1	$ 2
Authorized to be repurchased (in shares)								1,000,000
Remaining number of shares authorized to be repurchased (in shares)					400,000
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)					0
Series A-4 preferred OP units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)					0	2,373
Series A-4 preferred OP units \| Common OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)					0	1,054
Conversion of Common OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)					6,533	6,777
Conversion of Common OP Units \| Common OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)					6,533
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)					3,950	3,700
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units \| Common OP Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares)					9,633	9,023
NG Sun LLC [Member] \| Sun NG RV Resorts [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Equity Interests Issued, Floating Rate					5.00%
NG Sun LLC [Member] \| Common Stock \| Sun NG RV Resorts [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Equity Interests Issued				$ 6,500
Sun NG RV Resorts [Member] \| Common Stock \| Sun NG RV Resorts [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Equity Interests Issued				$ 15,400

Equity and Temporary Equity, Conversion of Stock (Details)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019 $ / shares shares	Mar. 31, 2019 shares	Mar. 31, 2018 shares
Conversion of Common OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of units			6,533	6,777
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of units			3,950	3,700
Series A-4 preferred OP units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of units			0	2,373
Series D Preferred OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Temporary Equity, Dividends For Term Two, Percentage		4.00%
Temporary Equity, Shares Issued		488,958
Temporary Equity, Issuance Price \| $ / shares		$ 100.00
Common OP Units \| Conversion of Common OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion Rate			1,000
Conversion of units			6,533
Common OP Units \| Series A-1 Preferred OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion Rate			2,439
Conversion of units			9,633	9,023
Common OP Units \| Series A-4 preferred OP units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion Rate			444.4000
Conversion of units			0	1,054
Scenario, Forecast [Member] \| Series D Preferred OP Units
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Per Share Upon Conversion	0.8

Equity and Temporary Equity Equity and Temporary Equity, Dividends Payable Table (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands					3 Months Ended
	Oct. 15, 2018	Oct. 01, 2018	Sep. 28, 2018	Sep. 14, 2018	Mar. 31, 2019
Common Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date of Record			Mar. 29, 2019
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	Apr. 15, 2019
Dividends per common share					$ 0.75
Payments of dividends	$ 66,886
Series A-4 Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date of Record				Mar. 15, 2019
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid		Apr. 01, 2019
Preferred Stock, Dividends Per Share, Declared					$ 0.40625
Payments of dividends		$ 432

Equity and Temporary Equity Equity and Temporary Equity, Schedule of Sale of Common Stock (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		15 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Aggregate Value of Shares to be Issued in Accordance to Sales Agreement	$ 450,000
Issuance of common stock and common OP units, net	$ (4,321)	$ (3,296)	$ 163,800

Share-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Percent Expected To Vest	75.10%
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	$ 0.1
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	108,435
Executive Officer [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| 2015 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage	100.00%
Director [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| 2004 Non-employee Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, shares (in shares)	18,000
Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 113.68
Award vesting percentage	100.00%
Time Based [Member] \| Executive Officer [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| 2015 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, shares (in shares)	44,000
Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 115.39
Market Condition [Member] \| Executive Officer [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member] \| 2015 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, shares (in shares)	66,000
Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 86.71
Common Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share Price	$ 115.39
Exercises in period	1,500	0

Segment Reporting Segment Reporting, Seasonality (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) segment	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments \| segment				2
Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Expected annual transient RV revenue \| $				$ 129.7	$ 106.2
Transient RV rental revenue recognized as a percentage				20.20%	16.40%	42.60%	20.30%	20.70%
Scenario, Forecast [Member] \| Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Transient RV rental revenue recognized as a percentage	15.30%	41.50%	23.00%

Segment Reporting Results of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue From Home Sales	$ 287,330	$ 257,975
Home selling expenses	(3,324)	(3,290)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(653)	(196)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity	(1,094)	(619)
Catastrophic weather related charges	(782)	(2,213)
Remeasurement of marketable securities	267	0
Distributions from Affiliate	344	(59)
Other income / (expense), net	1,898	(2,617)
Deferred tax benefit	217	347
Net Income	37,127	33,601
Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units	1,323	1,080
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,041	2,094
Net Income Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	34,763	30,427
Less: Preferred stock distributions	432	441
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	34,331	29,986
Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue From Home Sales	233,741	210,055
Net Income	41,605	39,554
Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units	1,323	1,080
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,259	2,394
Net Income Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	39,023	36,080
Less: Preferred stock distributions	432	441
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	38,591	35,639
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue From Home Sales	53,589	47,920
Net Income	(4,478)	(5,953)
Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units	0	0
Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	(218)	(300)
Net Income Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc.	(4,260)	(5,653)
Less: Preferred stock distributions	0	0
Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders	(4,260)	(5,653)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue From Home Sales	278,850	251,699
Operating expenses/Cost of sales	114,405	102,647
Net operating income/Gross profit	164,445	149,052
Operating Segments [Member] \| Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue From Home Sales	225,261	203,779
Operating expenses/Cost of sales	80,340	70,849
Net operating income/Gross profit	144,921	132,930
Operating Segments [Member] \| Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue From Home Sales	53,589	47,920
Operating expenses/Cost of sales	34,065	31,798
Net operating income/Gross profit	19,524	16,122
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest and other revenues, net	8,480	6,276
Home selling expenses	(3,324)	(3,290)
General and administrative	(21,887)	(19,757)
Depreciation and amortization	(76,556)	(66,437)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(653)	(196)
Interest	(34,014)	(31,138)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity	(1,094)	(619)
Catastrophic weather related charges	(782)	2,213
Remeasurement of marketable securities	267	0
Distributions from Affiliate	344	(59)
Other income / (expense), net	1,898	(2,617)
Current tax expense	(214)	(174)
Deferred tax benefit	217	347
Segment Reconciling Items [Member] \| Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest and other revenues, net	8,480	6,276
Home selling expenses	0	0
General and administrative	(19,234)	(17,187)
Depreciation and amortization	(58,245)	(50,508)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(653)	(196)
Interest	(34,010)	(31,134)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity	(1,094)	(619)
Catastrophic weather related charges	(782)	2,357
Remeasurement of marketable securities	267	0
Distributions from Affiliate	0	0
Other income / (expense), net	1,860	(2,616)
Current tax expense	(122)	(96)
Deferred tax benefit	217	347
Segment Reconciling Items [Member] \| Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest and other revenues, net	0	0
Home selling expenses	(3,324)	(3,290)
General and administrative	(2,653)	(2,570)
Depreciation and amortization	(18,311)	(15,929)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0
Interest	(4)	(4)
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity	0	0
Catastrophic weather related charges	0	(144)
Remeasurement of marketable securities	0	0
Distributions from Affiliate	344	(59)
Other income / (expense), net	38	(1)
Current tax expense	(92)	(78)
Deferred tax benefit	$ 0	$ 0

Segment Reporting Identifiable Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Investment property, net	$ 6,471,256	$ 6,118,316
Cash and cash equivalents	21,946	50,311	$ 15,153	$ 10,127
Marketable securities	50,501	49,037
Inventory of manufactured homes	52,993	49,199
Notes and other receivables, net	179,814	160,077
Collateralized receivables, net	101,938	106,924
Other assets	220,214	176,162
TOTAL ASSETS	7,098,662	6,710,026
Real Property Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Investment property, net	5,929,030	5,586,444
Cash and cash equivalents	(7,233)	24,343
Marketable securities	50,501	49,037
Inventory of manufactured homes	0	0
Notes and other receivables, net	163,362	145,673
Collateralized receivables, net	101,938	106,924
Other assets	165,743	140,027
TOTAL ASSETS	6,403,341	6,052,448
Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Investment property, net	542,226	531,872
Cash and cash equivalents	29,179	25,968
Marketable securities	0	0
Inventory of manufactured homes	52,993	49,199
Notes and other receivables, net	16,452	14,404
Collateralized receivables, net	0	0
Other assets	54,471	36,135
TOTAL ASSETS	$ 695,321	$ 657,578

Income Taxes , Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Income Taxes , Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Minimum Percent of Income From Qualifying Sources to Allow For Real Estate Investment Trust Classification	95.00%
Required Minimum Percent of Taxable Income Distributed to Stock Holders	90.00%
Provision for state income taxes	$ 200	$ 174
Deferred tax benefit	217	347
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	$ 20,300	21,600
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross		$ 100

Earnings Per Share , Calculation of Numerator and Denominator (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Numerator
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 34,331	$ 29,986
Allocation to restricted stock awards	(437)	(303)
Basic earnings: Net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation	33,894	29,683
Allocation to restricted stock awards	437	303
Diluted earnings: Net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation	$ 34,331	$ 29,986
Denominator
Weighted average common shares outstanding	85,520	78,855
Add: dilutive stock options	1	2
Add: dilutive restricted stock	512	607
Diluted weighted average common shares and securities	86,033	79,464
Basic	$ 0.40	$ 0.38
Diluted	$ 0.40	$ 0.38

Earnings Per Share , Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Loss Per Share (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	6,647	6,228
Common OP Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	2,719	2,739
Series A-1 Preferred OP Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	328	342
Series D Preferred OP Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	489	0
Series A-3 Preferred OP Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	40	40
Series A-4 preferred OP units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	410	422
Series A-4 Preferred Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	1,063	1,085
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	314	316
Aspen Preferred OP Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	1,284	1,284

Fair Value of Financial Instruments , By Balance Sheet Grouping (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Payments to acquire marketable securities	$ 54,000
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net		$ 179,814	$ 160,077
Collateralized receivables, net		101,938	106,924
Financial liabilities
Secured debt		2,879,017	2,815,957
Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net		109,300	112,800
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Financial liabilities
Debt (excluding secured borrowings)		2,948,929	2,888,572
Lines of credit		396,512	128,000
Other liabilities (contingent consideration)		4,702	4,640
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member]
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net			112,798
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net		109,256
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Collateralized Receivables [Member]
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net		101,900	106,900
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Collateralized Receivables [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Collateralized receivables, net		101,938	106,924
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Financial liabilities
Secured debt		102,676	107,731
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial liabilities
Debt (excluding secured borrowings)		2,906,358	2,757,649
Secured debt		102,676	107,731
Lines of credit		396,512	128,000
Other liabilities (contingent consideration)		4,702	4,640
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Notes and other receivables, net		109,256	112,798
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Collateralized Receivables [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Collateralized receivables, net		101,938	106,924
Marketable Securities [Member] \| Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Marketable securities		50,501	49,037
Marketable Securities [Member] \| Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets
Marketable securities		$ 50,501	$ 49,037

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Amortization of right - of-use assets	$ 18
Interest on lease liabilities	26
Sublease income	319
Total lease expense	$ 1,185	$ 267

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 21,946	$ 50,311	$ 15,153	$ 10,127
Restricted cash	12,229	11,951	12,271	13,382
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 34,175	$ 62,262	$ 27,424	$ 23,509

Leases - Future Minimum Lease Payments (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Operating Leases
2019 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2019)	$ 1,766,000
2020	2,397,000
2021	2,446,000
2022	2,483,000
2023	2,509,000
Thereafter	13,725,000
Total undiscounted lease payments	25,326,000
Less: Imputed interest	(6,213,000)
Total lease liabilities	19,113,000	$ 0
Finance Leases
2019 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2019)	112,000
2020	120,000
2021	120,000
2022	120,000
2023	120,000
Thereafter	4,060,000
Total undiscounted lease payments	4,652,000
Less: Imputed interest	(539,000)
Total lease liabilities	$ 4,113,000	$ 4,100,000

Leases - Additional Information (Details)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) ft² $ / ft²	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
ROU assets from operating lease	$ 47,705,000
Operating lease liability	19,113,000	$ 0
ROU assets from finance lease	4,100,000	4,100,000
Finance lease liability	4,113,000	4,100,000
Operating lease, not yet commenced	$ 2,900,000
Term of operating lease not yet commenced	7 years
Below Market Leases
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
ROU assets from operating lease		$ 29,100,000
CEO \| American Center
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	28.10%
Area of rentable real estate property \| ft²	103,100
Gross base rent (USD per sqft) \| $ / ft²	18.55

Leases - Lease Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Leases - Lease Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Amortization of right - of-use assets	$ 18
Interest on lease liabilities	26
Operating lease expense	822
Variable lease expense	319
Total lease expense	1,185		$ 267
Amortization of lease		$ 18
Interest on lease liabilities		26
Operating lease expense		851
Operating cash flow used for operating leases	450	549
Financing cash flow used for finance leases	8	8
Right of use asset obtained (land) in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	4,116
Right of use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	18,775
Total right of use asset from operating leases	$ 47,705
Weighted - average remaining lease term - finance leases (in years)	5 years 3 months
Weighted - average remaining lease term - operating leases (in years)	13 years 6 months 21 days
Weighted - average discount rate - finance leases (annual)	2.50%
Weighted - average discount rate - operating leases (annual)	4.11%
Below Market Leases
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Below market ground lease amortization expense		$ 223
Right of use asset obtained relative to below market operating leases	$ 28,930		29,118
Total right of use asset from operating leases			$ 29,100