SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Brighton Preferred Op Units Brighton Preferred Op Units [Member] Brighton Preferred Op Units Provision for state income taxes Current State and Local Tax Expense (Benefit) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Award Date One [Member] Award Date One [Member] Award Date One [Member] Consolidated Entities [Axis] Consolidated Entities [Axis] Changes in Fair Value, Level 3 [Axis] Changes in Fair Value, Level 3 [Axis] Changes in Fair Value, Level 3 Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block] Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - basic Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic Receivable Type [Axis] Receivable Type [Axis] Business Combinations and Assets Acquisitions Business Combinations and Assets Acquisitions [Member] Business Combinations and Assets Acquisitions Jellystone at Barton Lake Hid'n Pines [Member] Hid'n Pines [Member] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] Operating And Finance Leases, Liability Operating And Finance Leases, Liability Operating And Finance Leases, Liability Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price Weighted - average remaining lease term - operating leases (in years) Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by 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receivables, net and Installment Notes Receivables on Manufactured Homes [Member] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Award Date Three Award Date Three [Member] Award Date Three Amortization of Intangible Assets Amortization of Intangible Assets Issuance of common stock, OP units and preferred OP units, net Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity Weighted - average discount rate - operating leases (annual) Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Subsequent Events [Abstract] Subsequent Events [Abstract] Operating lease, not yet commenced Lessee, Operating Lease, Lease Not Yet Commenced, Value Lessee, Operating Lease, Lease Not Yet Commenced, Value Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table] Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table] Fair value of assets acquired Fair Value of Assets Acquired Number of States in which Entity Operates Number of States in which Entity Operates Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Line of credit variable interest rate Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate Award Type [Domain] Award Type [Domain] Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] Woodsmoke Reunion Lake [Member] Reunion Lake [Member] Financed sales of manufactured homes Financed sales of manufactured homes Financed sales of manufactured homes Distributions Dividends, Cash Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Due after Year Five Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Due after Year Five Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Due after Year Five Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions, Expenses and Losses Recognized Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions, Expenses and Losses Recognized Area of rentable real estate property Area of Real Estate Property Conversion of OP units Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution Capital Leases, Income Statement, Interest Expense Capital Leases, Income Statement, Interest Expense Harborage Yacht Club Harborage Yacht Club [Member] Harborage Yacht Club Remaining number of shares authorized to be repurchased (in shares) Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased Weighted average interest rate Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate Total Comprehensive Income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Series A-4 preferred OP units Series A-4 Preferred Op Units [Member] Series A-4 Preferred OP Units [Member] Maine MH Portfolio Maine MH Portfolio [Member] Maine MH Portfolio Financing cash flow used for finance leases Finance Lease, Principal Payments Earnings Per Share, Basic Earnings Per Share, Basic Redemption price including accrued and unpaid dividends (in dollars per share) Temporary Equity, Redemption Price Per Share Including Accrued and Unpaid Dividends Temporary Equity, Redemption Price Per Share Including Accrued and Unpaid Dividends Revenue Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Remeasurement Of Marketable Securities Remeasurement Of Marketable Securities Remeasurement Of Marketable Securities Document Type Document Type Interest Interest Expense, Debt Federal National Mortgage Association Certificates and Obligations (FNMA) [Member] Federal National Mortgage Association Certificates and Obligations (FNMA) [Member] Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, net [Member] Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes [Member] Variable Lease, Income Variable Lease, Income Kittatinny Portfolio Kittatinny Portfolio [Member] Kittatinny Portfolio Gross base rent (USD per sqft) Lessee, Operating Lease, Gross Base Rent Lessee, Operating Lease, Gross Base Rent Distributions Temporary Equity, Dividends Temporary Equity, Dividends Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Time Based [Member] Time Based [Member] Time Based [Member] Conversion of Common OP Units Conversion of Common OP Units [Member] Conversion of Common OP Units [Member] Secured debt (see Note 8) (including $49,054 and $47,706 for consolidated VIEs at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; see Note 7) Secured debt Total debt Secured Debt Number of recreational vehicle sites acquired (in developed sites) Number Of Developed Recreational Vehicle Sites Acquired Number Of Developed Recreational Vehicle Sites Acquired Islamorada and Angler House Islamorada and Angler House [Member] Islamorada and Angler House Plan Name [Axis] Plan Name [Axis] Long-term Debt Long-term Debt Purchases and Issuances Purchases and Issuances [Member] Purchases and Issuances Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Goodwill, Impairment Loss Goodwill, Impairment Loss RV Community RV Community [Member] RV Community Notes Receivable from Real Estate Developers Notes Receivable from Real Estate Developers [Member] Notes Receivable from Real Estate Developers Other liabilities (including $22,908 and $22,221 for consolidated VIEs at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; see Note 7) Other liabilities Other Liabilities Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payment, Due [Abstract] Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payment, Due [Abstract] Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted Base Rate Base Rate [Member] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Jensen Portfolio Jensen Property Acquisition [Member] Jensen Property Acquisition [Member] Other assets / (liabilities), net Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Liabilities Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Liabilities Adjustments for Change in Accounting Principle [Axis] Change in Accounting Principle, Type [Axis] Matures May 1, 2023, 4.3 Percent Interest Rate [Member] Matures May 1, 2023, 4.3 Percent Interest Rate [Member] Matures May 1, 2023, 4.3 Percent Interest Rate [Member] Scenario [Axis] Scenario [Axis] Noncompete Agreements Noncompete Agreements [Member] Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital Distributions in Excess of Accumulated Earnings Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member] Shelf Registration Shelf Registration [Member] Shelf Registration Debt Instrument, Number of Sites Securing Debt Debt Instrument, Number of Sites Securing Debt Debt Instrument, Number of Sites Securing Debt Vesting Type [Domain] Vesting Type [Domain] [Domain] for Vesting Type [Axis] Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] Cisco Grove Camp Resort Cisco Grove Camp Resort [Member] Cisco Grove Camp Resort Property operating and maintenance Cost of Other Property Operating Expense 2023 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Four Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Shelter Island Shelter Island [Member] Shelter Island Basis of Presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block] Noncontrolling interests Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Increase to reserve balance Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Adjustments, Other Unrecognized Tax Benefits Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Authority [Domain] Income Tax Authority [Domain] Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Value Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Value Leases Lessee, Finance Leases [Text Block] Secured borrowings on collateralized receivables Other Borrowings Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year One Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year One Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Rate Of Return Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Rate Of Return Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Rate Of Return Receivable [Domain] Receivable [Domain] General and administrative General and administrative expense General and Administrative Expense Matures January 1, 2030, 3.83 Percent Interest Rate [Member] Matures January 1, 2030, 3.83 Percent Interest Rate [Member] Matures January 1, 2030, 3.83 Percent Interest Rate [Member] Equity Method Investment, Cash Contributions Equity Method Investment, Cash Contributions Equity Method Investment, Cash Contributions Candlelight Village Candlelight Village [Member] Candlelight Village Apponaug Harbor Apponaug Harbor [Member] Apponaug Harbor Debt Instrument, Convertible, Number of Equity Instruments Affected and Outstanding Debt Instrument, Convertible, Number of Equity Instruments Affected and Outstanding Debt Instrument, Convertible, Number of Equity Instruments Affected and Outstanding Contractual Obligation Contractual Obligation Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] Home Sales and Home Rentals Segment [Member] Foreign currency translation gain / (loss) adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax Present Value of Lease Liabilities Operating lease liability Operating Lease, Liability Real estate tax Real Estate Tax Expense Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized: 180,000 shares; Issued and outstanding: 115,959 September 30, 2021 and 107,626 December 31, 2020 Common Stock, Value, Issued Weighted - average discount rate - finance leases (annual) Finance Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Safe Harbor Marinas Eleven Properties Safe Harbor Marinas Eleven Properties [Member] Safe Harbor Marinas Eleven Properties Remeasurement of notes receivable and equity method investment Remeasurement Of Notes Receivable And Equity Method Investments Remeasurement Of Notes Receivable And Equity Method Investments Leases Lessee, Operating Leases [Text Block] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block] Amortization of right - of-use assets Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Amortization Collateralized term loans - CMBS [Member] Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] Brokerage Commissions And Other Revenues, Net [Member] Brokerage Commissions And Other Revenues, Net [Member] Brokerage Commissions And Other Revenues, Net [Member] Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Kean's Marina Kean's Marina [Member] Kean's Marina Blue Water Beach Resort Jellystone Natural Bridge [Member] Jellystone Natural Bridge [Member] Changes in Fair Value, Level 3 [Domain] Changes in Fair Value, Level 3 [Domain] Changes in Fair Value, Level 3 [Domain] Equity transaction type [Axis] Equity transaction type [Axis] Equity transaction type [Axis] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Add: dilutive restricted stock Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Axis] Net income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss) Convertible Secured Promissory Note Convertible Secured Promissory Note [Member] Convertible Secured Promissory Note Dividends [Domain] Dividends [Domain] Investment in properties Payments to Acquire and Develop Real Estate Income Tax Authority [Axis] Income Tax Authority [Axis] 2004 Non-employee Plan [Member] 2004 Non-employee Plan [Member] 2004 non-employee plan [Member] Notes receivable, fair value adjustment Notes Receivable, Fair Value Adjustment Notes Receivable, Fair Value Adjustment Thereafter Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, after Year Five Dividends per common share Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Notes And Other Receivables Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block] Safe Harbor Anacapa Isle Safe Harbor Anacapa Isle [Member] Safe Harbor Anacapa Isle Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] Net book value of properties securing collateralized term loans Pledged Assets, Not Separately Reported, Real Estate Marketable Securities [Member] Marketable Securities [Member] Marketable Securities [Member] Temporary Equity, Term Temporary Equity, Term Temporary Equity, Term Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Equity [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] Convertible Notes Payable Convertible Notes Payable Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Operating Loss Carryforwards [Table] Operating Loss Carryforwards [Table] Variable Rate [Axis] Variable Rate [Axis] Leases, Acquired-in-Place, Market Adjustment Leases, Acquired-in-Place, Market Adjustment [Member] Rental Home Revenue [Member] Rental Home Revenue [Member] Rental Home Revenue [Member] Weighted - average remaining lease term - finance leases (in years) Finance Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Segment Reporting Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Issuance of Series F preferred OP units Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests Jetstream RV Resort Jetstream RV Resort [Member] Jetstream RV Resort Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Variable Rate [Domain] Variable Rate [Domain] Additional Paid-in Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Lines of credit Lines of Credit, Fair Value Disclosure Matures March 1, 2020, 5.62 Percent Interest Rate [Member] Matures March 1, 2020, 5.62 Percent Interest Rate [Member] Matures March 1, 2020, 5.62 Percent Interest Rate [Member] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Principal reduction from repossessed homes Principal reduction from repossessed homes Principal reduction from repossessed homes Zenman Portfolio Zeman Portfolio [Member] Zeman Portfolio Real Estate Investments, Joint Ventures Real Estate Investments, Joint Ventures Borrowings on lines of credit Proceeds from Lines of Credit 2015 Equity Plan [Member] Two Thousand Fifteen Equity Plan [Member] Two Thousand Fifteen Equity Plan [Member] Fees paid in connection with extinguishment of debt Prepayment Penalty, Debt Prepayment Penalty, Debt Matures November 1, 2021, 5.10 Percent Interest Rate [Member] Matures November 1, 2021, 5.10 Percent Interest Rate [Member] Matures November 1, 2021, 5.10 Percent Interest Rate [Member] Other expense, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Safe Harbor Wickford Cove Safe Harbor Wickford Cove [Member] Safe Harbor Wickford Cove Contingent consideration liability related to prior acquisitions Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition, Noncash Financial Or Equity Instrument Consideration, Escrow Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition, Noncash Financial Or Equity Instrument Consideration, Escrow Income From Real Property [Member] Income From Real Property [Member] Income From Real Property [Member] Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Combinations [Abstract] Maximum [Member] Maximum [Member] Sylvan Glen Estates Sylvan Glen Estates [Member] Sylvan Glen Estates Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Senior Unsecured NOtes Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] Senior Unsecured Notes Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Remainder of Fiscal Year Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Remainder of Fiscal Year Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Remainder of Fiscal Year Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block] Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block] Adjustments for Change in Accounting Principle [Domain] Change in Accounting Principle, Type [Domain] Total Sun Communities, Inc. stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Lakeview Mobile Estates Buena Vista [Member] Buena Vista [Member] Undrawn Funds On Loans Undrawn Funds On Loans Undrawn Funds On Loans Investment In Affiliates Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block] Land improvements and buildings Real estate investment property, Land improvements and buildings Real estate investment property, Land improvements and buildings Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Schedule of Dividends Payable Schedule of Dividends Payable [Table Text Block] Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Cherrystone Family Camping Resort Crown Villa [Member] Crown Villa Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Disposition of properties Disposition of properties [Member] Disposition of properties Gain on sale of property Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal Notes and other receivables, net Total notes and other receivables, net Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss Land Land Total Lease Payments Finance Lease, Liability, Payment, Due Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Accounting Standards Update [Axis] Asset Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Liabilities, Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Asset Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Liabilities, Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Asset Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Liabilities, Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Pleasant Beach Campground Pleasant Beach Campground [Member] Pleasant Beach Campground Debt instrument, face amount Debt Instrument, Face Amount Less: Preferred return to preferred OP units / equity interests Less: Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units Preferred return to Series A-1 preferred OP units Preferred return to convertible, non-redeemable Series A-1 Preferred Operating Partnership unit holders. Rental homes and improvements Rental Properties Share Price Share Price Operating Segments [Member] Operating Segments [Member] Conversion of common and preferred OP units Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block] Present Value of Lease Liabilities Finance lease liability Finance Lease, Liability Jellystone Lone Star River Plantation [Member] River Plantation [Member] Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense [Table] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense [Table] Tabular disclosure of amortization expense related to finite-lived intangible assets by category. Safe Harbor Marinas Four Properties Safe Harbor Marinas Four Properties [Member] Safe Harbor Marinas Four Properties Receivable with Imputed Interest, Effective Yield (Interest Rate) Receivable with Imputed Interest, Effective Yield (Interest Rate) Equity Method Investments Equity Method Investments Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Beachwood Beachwood [Member] Beachwood Net income per share attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. common stockholders - diluted Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted 2021 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Three Issuance of notes and other receivables Issuance of notes and other receivables The cash outflow associated with borrowing supported by a written promise to pay an obligation. 2022 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Four Line of credit - manufactured home floor plan facility [Member] Line of credit - manufactured home floor plan facility [Member] Line of credit - manufactured home floor plan facility [Member] Cash paid for interest on mandatorily redeemable debt Distributions on Mandatorily Redeemable Securities Number of Properties Sold Number of Properties Sold Number of Properties Sold Number Of Land Parcels Acquired Number Of Land Parcels Acquired Number Of Land Parcels Acquired Current tax benefit / (expense) (see Note 12) Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Dividends Payable [Table] Dividends Payable [Table] Conversion Rate Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued Total Lease Payments Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid Schedule of Stock by Class [Table] Schedule of Stock by Class [Table] Other Remeasurement of Notes Receivable, Equity Method Investment Remeasurement of Notes Receivable, Equity Method Investment Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table] Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Common Equity Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Common Equity Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Common Equity Principal payments and payoffs from our customers Loans and Leases Receivable, Related Parties, Proceeds Market Condition [Member] Market Condition [Member] Market Condition [Member] Loss from Catastrophes [Member] Loss from Catastrophes [Member] Noncash investing and financing activities at the date of acquisition Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues, Preferred OP Units Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues, Preferred OP Units Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Domain] Other Adjustments Other Adjustments [Member] Other Adjustments Number of expansion recreational vehicle sites acquired (in expansion sites) Number Of Expansion Recreational Vehicle Sites Acquired Number Of Expansion Recreational Vehicle Sites Acquired Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Basic earnings - Net Income attributable to common stockholders after allocation to restricted stock awards Net income attributable to common shareholders after restricted stock allocation Net income attributable to common shareholders after restricted stock allocation Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items] Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items] DisclosureofVariableInterestEntities [Abstract] DisclosureofVariableInterestEntities [Abstract] DisclosureofVariableInterestEntities [Abstract] Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Due Year Four Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Due Year Four Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Due Year Four Equity transaction type [Domain] Equity transaction type [Domain] Equity transaction type [Domain] Adjustments for Error Correction [Domain] Error Correction, Type [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Other Receivables Other Receivables Commission, Maximum Percentage of Gross Sales Price Per Share According to Sales Agreement Commission, Maximum Percentage of Gross Sales Price Per Share According to Sales Agreement Commission, Maximum Percentage of Gross Sales Price Per Share According to Sales Agreement Aggregate Value of Shares to be Issued in Accordance to Sales Agreement Aggregate Value of Shares to be Issued in Accordance to Sales Agreement Aggregate Value of Shares to be Issued in Accordance to Sales Agreement Number of RV sites (in sites) Number of RV Sites Number of RV Sites 2021 (Excluding nine months ended September 30, 2021) Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year One Associate Island KOA Association Island KOA [Member] Association Island KOA Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table] Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table] Disposal Group Name [Domain] Disposal Group Name [Domain] Secured receivables, net Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net Edgarton Edgarton [Member] Edgarton Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table] Safe Harbor Rybovich Portfolio Safe Harbor Rybovich Portfolio [Member] Safe Harbor Rybovich Portfolio Temporary and permanent equity Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable Blue Water Blue Water [Member] Blue Water Net Earnings (Loss) Net Earnings (Loss) [Member] Net Earnings (Loss) NG Sun Whitewater [Member] NG Sun Whitewater [Member] NG Sun Whitewater [Member] Preferred Equity, Mandatorily Redeemable [Member] Preferred Equity, Mandatorily Redeemable [Member] Preferred Equity, Mandatorily Redeemable [Member] Collateralized Term Loan 3 Collateralized Term Loan 3 [Member] Collateralized Term Loan 3 Liabilities Liabilities [Abstract] 2022 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Four Payments to acquire marketable securities Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities Series A-4 Preferred Stock Series A-4 Preferred Stock [Member] Series A-4 Preferred Stock [Member] Award Date Five Award Date Five [Member] Award Date Five Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Type of Adoption [Domain] Accounting Standards Update [Domain] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life Strafford Strafford [Member] Strafford [Member] Accumulated depreciation Real Estate Investment Property, Accumulated Depreciation Interest on lease liabilities Finance Lease, Interest Expense Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block] Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Anderson Anderson [Member] Anderson Asset Acquisition, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable Asset Acquisition, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable Asset Acquisition, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable Series J Preferred Op Units Series J Preferred Op Units [Member] Series J Preferred Op Units Series E Preferred OP Units Series E Preferred OP Units [Domain] Series E Preferred OP Units [Domain] Investment, Name [Domain] Investment, Name [Domain] Line of credit, additional borrowing capacity Line of credit facility, additional borrowing capacity Line of credit facility, additional borrowing capacity VIE as a Percentage of Consolidated Liabilities Variable Interest Entity as a Percentage of Consolidated Liabilities Variable Interest Entity as a Percentage of Consolidated Liabilities Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Diluted earnings - Net income attributable to common stockholders after allocation to restricted stock awards Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted Reduction in secured borrowing balance Repayments of Secured Debt Net Income Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. Common Stockholders Net Income Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. Common Stockholders Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Title of Individual [Axis] Title of Individual [Axis] Series I Preferred OP Units Series I Preferred OP Units [Member] Series I Preferred OP Units Preferred Stock, Dividends Per Share, Declared Preferred Stock, Dividends Per Share, Declared Consideration Business Combination, Consideration Transferred [Abstract] Product and Service [Domain] Product and Service [Domain] Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Two Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Two Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Gain on dispositions of properties Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, after Year Five Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, after Year Five Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Real Estate [Domain] Real Estate [Domain] Lease, Cost [Table Text Block] Lease, Cost [Table Text Block] Service, retail, dining and entertainment Ancillary Revenue Ancillary Revenue Davenport, Florida RV Resort Davenport, Florida RV Resort [Member] Davenport, Florida RV Resort Acquisitions - 2020 Acquisitions - 2020 [Member] Acquisitions - 2020 [Member] Sale of Stock, Price Per Share Sale of Stock, Price Per Share Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure Real Estate Acquisitions Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block] Insurance receivables Insurance receivables Insurance receivables Subsequent Events Subsequent Events [Text Block] Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, gross Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, gross [Member] Installment notes receivable on manufactured homes, gross [Member] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Marathon Marina Marathon Marina [Member] Marathon Marina Distributions from nonconsolidated affiliates Proceeds from Divestiture of Interest in Subsidiaries and Affiliates Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Transfer to Level 3 Transfer to Level 3 [Member] Transfer to Level 3 Service, retail, dining and entertainment Other Cost and Expense, Operating Schedule of Restricted Stock Granted Share-based Payment Arrangement, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit, Activity [Table Text Block] Finance Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block] Finance Lease, Liability, Fiscal Year Maturity [Table Text Block] Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Share Issuance Prior To New Sales Agreement Share Issuance Prior To New Sales Agreement Share Issuance Prior To New Sales Agreement Matures July 1, 2020, 5.86 Percent Interest Rate [Member] [Domain] Matures July 1, 2020, 5.86 Percent Interest Rate [Member] Matures July 1, 2020, 5.86 Percent Interest Rate 2022 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Three Foreign Tax Authority [Member] Foreign Tax Authority [Member] Shenandoah Acres Shenandoah Acres [Member] Shenandoah Acres Cape Cod Cape Cod [Member] Cape Cod [Member] Distributions payable Dividends Payable Add: common shares dilutive effect: Forward Equity Offering Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Adjustment, Common Share From Forward Sale Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Adjustment, Common Share From Forward Sale Jellystone Natural Bridge Pandion Ridge [Member] Pandion Ridge [Member] REVENUES Revenues [Abstract] Home costs and selling Other Cost of Operating Revenue Authorized to be repurchased (in shares) Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased Debt Instrument, Convertible, Percent Of Amount By Which The Market Price Of Common Stock Exceeds Threshold Debt Instrument, Convertible, Percent Of Amount By Which The Market Price Of Common Stock Exceeds Threshold Debt Instrument, Convertible, Percent Of Amount By Which The Market Price Of Common Stock Exceeds Threshold Consolidated Entities [Domain] Consolidated Entities [Domain] Award Date [Domain] Award Date [Domain] Debt instrument term Debt Instrument, Term Marketable securities Beginning Balance Ending Balance Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Collateralized Term Loan 1 Collateralized Term Loan 1 [Member] Collateralized Term Loan 1 Investment property, net (including $567,026 and $453,236 for consolidated VIEs at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; see Note 7) Investment property, net Real Estate Investment Property, Net Series A-4 Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Temporary Equity, Shares Issued Temporary Equity, Shares Issued Life Companies [Member] Life Companies [Member] Life Companies [Member] Capitalized transaction costs Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block] Payments on debt Repayments of Long-term Debt Marketable securities (see Note 14) Marketable Securities Earnings per share: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Debt assumed Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt Right of use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for New Operating Lease Liability Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for New Operating Lease Liability Total Revenues Revenues Revenue From Home Sales Revenues Other financial liabilities (contingent consideration) Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure Asset Acquisition, Consideration Transferred Asset Acquisition, Consideration Transferred Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Per Share Upon Conversion Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Per Share Upon Conversion Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Per Share Upon Conversion Asset Acquisition [Domain] Asset Acquisition [Domain] Net Proceeds From Forward Equity Offering Net Proceeds From Forward Equity Offering Net Proceeds From Forward Equity Offering Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] Ancillary Revenues [Member] Ancillary Revenues [Member] Ancillary Revenues [Member] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance Schedule of Installment Notes Receivable [Table] Schedule of Installment Notes Receivable [Table] Schedule of Installment Notes Receivable [Table] Temporary Equity, Consolidated VIE Temporary Equity, Consolidated VIE Temporary Equity, Consolidated VIE Change in distributions declared and outstanding Dividends Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction, Direct Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction, Direct Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction, Direct Mouse Mountain Mouse Mountain [Member] Mouse Mountain Series B-3 Preferred OP Units [Member] Series B-3 Preferred OP Units [Member] Series B-3 Preferred OP Units [Member] Leases [Abstract] Leases [Abstract] Valuation Allowance by Deferred Tax Asset [Axis] Valuation Allowance by Deferred Tax Asset [Axis] Award Date [Axis] Award Date [Axis] London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] Lakeview Mobile Estates Lakeview Mobile Estates [Member] Lakeview Mobile Estates Safe Harbor Mears Annapolis Safe Harbor Mears Annapolis [Member] Safe Harbor Mears Annapolis Collateralized Term Loan 2 Collateralized Term Loan 2 [Member] Collateralized Term Loan 2 Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred OP units / equity Interest Expense, Other Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted Diluted weighted average common shares and securities Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Home selling expenses Selling Expense Amortization Amortization Series A-3 Preferred OP Units [Member] Series A-3 Preferred OP Units [Member] Series A-3 Preferred OP Units [Member] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Matures December 1, 2021, 5.98 Percent Interest Rate Matures December 1, 2021, 5.98 Percent Interest Rate [Member] Matures December 1, 2021, 5.98 Percent Interest Rate Amortization of above and below Market Leases Below Market Lease, Net Related Party [Domain] Related Party [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Mortgage Term Loans Mortgage Term Loans Mortgage Term Loans Basis points Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Collateralized Term Loan Collateralized Term Loan [Member] Collateralized Term Loan Verde Plaza Verde Plaza [Member] Verde Plaza Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Incremental Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Incremental Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Incremental Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Transfer Out of Level 3 Transfer Out of Level 3 [Member] Transfer Out of Level 3 Class of Stock [Line Items] Class of Stock [Line Items] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Financial Assets Fair Value Disclosure Financial Assets Fair Value Disclosure Financial Assets Fair Value Disclosure Sales and Settlements Sales and Settlements [Member] Sales and Settlements Notes receivable from real estate developers Notes due from Real Estate Developers [Member] Notes due from Real Estate Developers [Member] Sun Solar JV Sun Solar JV [Member] Sun Solar JV Equity Interests Temporary Equity, Accretion to Redemption Value Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingencies [Table] Real property Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Beginning balance Ending balance Financing Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss Deerfield Run [Member] Deerfield Run [Member] Deerfield Run Contract with Customer, Asset, Reclassified to Receivable Contract with Customer, Asset, Reclassified to Receivable Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security GTSC [Member] GTSC [Member] GTSC [Member] Equity interests Variable Interest Entity, Equity Interests Issued Variable Interest Entity, Equity Interests Issued Variable Interest Entity, Equity Interests Issued Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Award Date Six Award Date Six [Member] Award Date Six Goodwill Goodwill [Member] Number of storage spaces (in storage spaces) Number Of Storage Spaces Number Of Storage Spaces Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction, Forward Equity Sales Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction, Forward Equity Sales Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction, Forward Equity Sales Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Country Village Estates Country Village [Member] Country Village [Member] Forest Springs Forest Springs [Member] Forest Springs Subsequent Event [Member] Subsequent Event [Member] Cover [Abstract] Cover [Abstract] Henderson RV Community Henderson RV Community [Member] Henderson RV Community Goodwill Goodwill Inventory of manufactured homes Inventory of manufactured homes Inventory, Finished Homes Marina Sale Segment Marina Sale Segment [Member] Marina Sale Segment Total noncontrolling interests Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Equity Method Investment, Adjustment, Allowance for Losses Equity Method Investment, Adjustment, Allowance for Losses Equity Method Investment, Adjustment, Allowance for Losses Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Due Year Five Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Due Year Five Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Due Year Five Franchise Rights [Member] Franchise Rights [Member] Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Percent Expected To Vest Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Percent Expected To Vest Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Percent Expected To Vest Series D Preferred OP Units Series D Preferred OP Units [Member] Series D Preferred OP Units [Member] Scenario [Domain] Scenario [Domain] Debt Instrument, Net Book Value of Property Securing Debt Debt Instrument, Net Book Value of Property Securing Debt Debt Instrument, Net Book Value of Property Securing Debt Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] SHM South Fork SHM South Fork [Member] SHM South Fork Distributions from Affiliate Distributions from Affiliate Distributions from affiliate Operating lease cost Operating Lease, Cost Loans Pledged as Collateral Loans Pledged as Collateral Jellystone Lone Star [Member] Jellystone Lone Star [Member] Jellystone Lone Star Executive Officer [Member] Executive Officer [Member] Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Senior Notes Senior Notes Chincoteague Chincoteague [Member] Chincoteague [Member] Financial assets Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract] Pin Oak Pin Oak [Member] Pin Oak Dividends [Axis] Dividends [Axis] Asset Acquisition [Axis] Asset Acquisition [Axis] Investment Property Investment Property [Member] Investment Property Convertible Debt Convertible Debt [Member] Trademarks and Trade Names Trademarks and Trade Names [Member] Business combination Business Combination, Integration Related Costs Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Net Income Attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. Net income / (loss) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company MH MH [Member] MH Matures March 1 and April 1, 2020, 6.24 Percent Interest Rate [Member] Matures March 1 and April 1, 2020, 6.24 Percent Interest Rate [Member] Matures March 1 and April 1, 2020, 6.24 Percent Interest Rate [Member] Accumulated Amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line Two Entity Address, Address Line Two Consideration received Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration Proceeds from disposition of assets and depreciated homes, net Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Conversion of Stock [Table] Conversion of Stock [Table] Number Of Collateralized Term Loans Number Of Collateralized Term Loans Number Of Collateralized Term Loans Shares outstanding (in shares) Temporary Equity, Shares Outstanding Temporary Equity, Shares Outstanding Themeworld RV Themeworld RV [Member] Themeworld RV Debt (excluding secured borrowings) Long term debt excluding secured borrowings, Fair Value Disclosure Long term debt excluding secured borrowings, Fair Value Disclosure Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Consolidated entities (including $18,527 and $16,084 for consolidated VIEs at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; see Note 7) Noncontrolling Interest in Variable Interest Entity Collateralized Term Loan Collateralized Term Loan Collateralized Term Loan Real Estate Reclassified from Held for Sale to Held and used Real Estate Reclassified from Held for Sale to Held and used Real Estate Reclassified from Held for Sale to Held and used Southfork Southfork [Member] Southfork Total Equity Total Equity [Member] Total Equity Dispositions of Properties Dispositions of Properties Dispositions of Properties Debt Instrument, number of properties securing a debt instument Debt Instrument, number of properties securing a debt instument Debt Instrument, number of properties securing a debt instument Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Payments for deferred financing costs Payments of Financing Costs Variable lease expense Variable Lease, Cost Prime Martha's Vineyard Prime Martha's Vineyard [Member] Prime Martha's Vineyard Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Net Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Net Weighted average common shares outstanding: Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding [Abstract] Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding [Abstract] Equity Interests Equity Interests Equity Interests Weighted average grant date fair value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Business Combination, Considered Transferred, Deferred Payment Business Combination, Considered Transferred, Deferred Payment Business Combination, Considered Transferred, Deferred Payment Woodsmoke [Member] Woodsmoke [Member] Woodsmoke Title of Individual [Domain] Title of Individual [Domain] Disposal Group Name [Axis] Disposal Group Name [Axis] Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Disposal Disclosures [Abstract] Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Disposal Disclosures [Abstract] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Assets Assets [Abstract] Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Value of Shares Issued Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Value of Shares Issued Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Value of Shares Issued Land Land [Member] Number of dry racks (in dry racks) Number Of Dry Racks Number Of Dry Racks Other Liabilities Other Liabilities [Member] Right of use asset obtained (land) in exchange for new finance lease liabilities Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Finance Lease Liability Segment Reconciling Items [Member] Segment Reconciling Items [Member] Granted, shares (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Payments to Acquire Land Payments to Acquire Land Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town VIE as a Percentage of Total Equity VIE as a Percentage of Total Equity VIE as a Percentage of Total Equity VIE as a Percentage of Consolidated Assets Variable Interest Entity as a Percentage of Consolidated Assets Variable Interest Entity as a Percentage of Consolidated Assets Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Term of operating lease not yet commenced Lessee, Operating Lease, Lease Not yet Commenced, Term of Contract Asset Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Assets (Liabilities) Asset Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Assets (Liabilities) Asset Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Assets (Liabilities) Number of Sites Number of Sites Number of Sites Number Of Housing Sites Sold Number Of Housing Sites Sold Number Of Housing Sites Sold Commitments And Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] El Capitan & Ocean Mesa(3)(4) Massey's Landing [Member] Massey's Landing [Member] Receivable with imputed interest, net Receivable with Imputed Interest, Net Amount Series F Preferred OP Units Series F Preferred OP Units [Member] Series F Preferred OP Units Related Party [Axis] Related Party [Axis] Consolidated Variable Interest Entities Disclosure of Variable Interest Entities [Text Block] For Disclosure of variable interest entities (VIE), including, but not limited to the nature, purpose, size, and activities of the VIE, the carrying amount and classification of consolidated assets that are collateral for the VIE's obligations, lack of recourse if creditors (or beneficial interest holders) of a consolidated VIE have no recourse to the general credit of the primary beneficiary. Secured borrowing [Member] Secured Debt [Member] Secured Debt [Member] Right of use asset obtained relative to below market operating leases Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability Inventory of manufactured homes, boat parts and retail related items Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block] Award vesting percentage Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Prime Rate [Member] Prime Rate [Member] Number of Operating Segments Number of Operating Segments Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Due Year Two Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Due Year Two Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Due Year Two 2021 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Three Interest income Other Revenues, Segment Other Revenues, Segment Gain / (loss) on remeasurement of notes receivable (see Note 4) Loss on Remeasurement of Notes Receivable Loss on Remeasurement of Notes Receivable Loss on Remeasurement of Notes Receivable RezPlot [Member] RezPlot [Member] RezPlot [Member] Total identifiable assets acquired net of liabilities assumed Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net Disaggregation of Revenue Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Series A-1 Preferred OP Units Series A-1 Preferred OP Units [Member] Preferred OP Units [Member] Investment property Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost Key Employees [Member] Key Employees [Member] Key Employees [Member] Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles Operating cash flow used for operating leases Operating Lease, Payments Term Loan [Member] Term Loan [Member] Term Loan [Member] Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Five Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Five Total consideration Business Combination, Consideration Transferred Capital Leases, Income Statement, Amortization Expense Capital Leases, Income Statement, Amortization Expense Highland Green Estates & Troy Villa [Member] Highland Green Estates & Troy Villa [Member] Highland Green Estates & Troy Villa Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Other receivables for rent, water, sewer usage Other receivables for rent, water, sewer usage Other receivables for rent, water, sewer usage Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Economic Interest Economic Interest Economic Interest Real Property Operations Segment [Member] Real Property Operations Segment [Member] Real Property Operations Segment [Member] Financial liabilities Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract] Total Liabilities, Temporary Equity and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities and Equity Beachwood Resort Flamingo Lake [Member] Flamingo Lake Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received Temporary Equity, Dividends For Term Two, Percentage Temporary Equity, Dividends For Term Two, Percentage Temporary Equity, Dividends For Term Two, Percentage 2023 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Five Lessee, Lease, Description [Table] Lessee, Lease, Description [Table] Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Ownership percentage Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] Acquisitions - 2019 Acquisitions - 2019 [Member] Acquisitions - 2019 [Member] Minimum [Member] Minimum [Member] Adjustments for Error Corrections [Axis] Error Correction, Type [Axis] JV Debt, Affiliated Entity Portion JV Debt, Affiliated Entity Portion [Member] JV Debt, Affiliated Entity Portion 2020 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Two Line of credit and other Lines of credit Long-term Line of Credit Income Before Other Items Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member] Leases, Acquired-in-Place [Member] Origen Financial Services [Member] Origen Financial Services [Member] Origen Financial Services [Member] Investment, Foreign Current Translation Adjustment Investment, Foreign Current Translation Adjustment Investment, Foreign Current Translation Adjustment Minimum Percent of Income From Qualifying Sources to Allow For Real Estate Investment Trust Classification Minimum Percent of Income From Qualifying Sources to Allow For Real Estate Investment Trust Classification Minimum Percent of Income From Qualifying Sources to Allow For Real Estate Investment Trust Classification Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table] Asset held for sale Increase (Decrease) in Assets Held-for-sale Issuance of common stock and common OP units, net Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Asset Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Liabilities, Inventory Asset Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Liabilities, Inventory Asset Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Liabilities, Inventory Acquisitions of properties, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Line of Credit [Member] Line of Credit [Member] Share-Based Compensation Share-based Payment Arrangement [Text Block] Schedule of Installment Notes Receivable Schedule of Installment Notes Receivable [Table Text Block] Schedule of Installment Notes Receivable [Table Text Block] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Payments of dividends Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Number of reportable segments Number of Reportable Segments Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates Payments to Acquire Interest in Subsidiaries and Affiliates Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Four Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Four Letters of credit outstanding, amount Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount Asset Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment Asset Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment Asset Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment Safe Harbor Annapolis Safe Harbor Annapolis [Member] Safe Harbor Annapolis Gain / (loss) on foreign currency translation Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Basis for Effective Rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Basis for Effective Rate Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Required Minimum Percent of Taxable Income Distributed to Stock Holders Required Minimum Percent of Taxable Income Distributed to Stock Holders Required Minimum Percent of Taxable Income Distributed to Stock Holders Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Type [Domain] Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Type [Domain] Total Sungenia Debt Total Sungenia Debt [Member] Total Sungenia Debt Sites, Wet Slips and Dry Storage Spaces Number of Units in Real Estate Property Schedule of Intangible Assets Amortization Expense Schedule of Intangible Assets Amortization Expense [Table Text Block] Schedule of Intangible Assets Amortization Expense [Table Text Block] - Tabular disclosure of amortization expense related to finite-lived intangible assets by category. Puerto del Rey Puerto del Rey [Member] Puerto del Rey Subsequent Event [Table] Subsequent Event [Table] Servicing Asset at Fair Value, Other Changes in Fair Value Servicing Asset at Fair Value, Other Changes in Fair Value Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Other receivables, net Other receivables, net [Member] Other receivables, net [Member] Allowance for rent, water, sewer usage receivables Allowance for rent, water, sewer usage receivables Allowance for rent, water, sewer usage receivables Restricted Stock [Member] Restricted Stock [Member] Real Estate, Type of Property [Axis] Real Estate, Type of Property [Axis] Proceeds from Issuance of Debt Proceeds from Issuance of Debt Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Number Of Share-Based Compensation Plans Number Of Share-Based Compensation Plans Number Of Share-Based Compensation Plans Asset Acquisition, Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross Asset Acquisition, Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross Asset Acquisition, Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross Total Expenses Costs and Expenses Matures March 1, 2021, 5.837 Percent Interest Rate [Member] [Domain] [Domain] Matures March 1, 2021, 5.837 Percent Interest Rate [Member] Matures March 1, 2021, 5.837 Percent Interest Rate Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Less: Imputed interest Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Proceeds from disposition of properties Proceeds from Sale of Other Productive Assets Four Leaf Portfolio Four Leaf Portfolio [Member] Four Leaf Portfolio Series G Preferred OP Units Series G Preferred OP Units [Member] Series G Preferred OP Units Financial Instrument [Axis] Financial Instrument [Axis] Equity interest issued or issuable, number of shares (in shares) Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares Aspen Series B3 Preferred Operating Partnership Units [Member] Preferred OP units [Member] Aspen Series B3 Preferred Operating Partnership Units [Member] Aspen Series B3 Preferred Operating Partnership Units [Member] El Capitan & Ocean Mesa [Member] El Capitan & Ocean Mesa [Member] El Capitan & Ocean Mesa Lazy Lakes RV Lazy Lakes RV [Member] Lazy Lakes RV Less: Imputed interest Finance Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Series H Preferred OP Units Series H Preferred OP Units [Member] Series H Preferred OP Units Activity of Conversions Schedule of Conversions of Stock [Table Text Block] Variable Interest Entity, Equity Interests Issued, Floating Rate Variable Interest Entity, Equity Interests Issued, Floating Rate Variable Interest Entity, Equity Interests Issued, Floating Rate Assets Held For Sale, Adjustment Of Notes Receivable Assets Held For Sale, Adjustment Of Notes Receivable Assets Held For Sale, Adjustment Of Notes Receivable Reported Value Measurement Reported Value Measurement [Member] Expenses Operating Costs and Expenses [Abstract] 2023 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Five Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Operating Income (Loss), Total Operating Income (Loss) Number of communities impaired Number Of Communities Impaired Number Of Communities Impaired 2021 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Two Issuance of Series E preferred OP units Temporary Equity, Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Properties securing debt [Member] Properties securing debt [Member] Properties securing debt [Member] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cabrillo Isle Cabrillo Isle [Member] Cabrillo Isle Tax Witholdings on Distributions from Investment Tax Witholdings on Distributions from Investment Tax Witholdings on Distributions from Investment Award Date Four Award Date Four [Member] Award Date Four Collateralized Receivables [Member] Collateralized Receivables [Member] Collateralized receivables [Member] Safe Harbor Safe Harbor [Member] Safe Harbor Catastrophic event-related charges, net Catastrophic weather related charges Loss from Catastrophes Less: Preferred stock distributions Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net Total Liabilities Liabilities Liabilities Net income / (loss) Temporary Equity, Net Income Share-based compensation - amortization and forfeitures Stock-Based Compensation Amortization And Forfeitures Stock-Based Compensation Amortization And Forfeitures Equity Method Investments, Initial Fair Value Adjustment Equity Method Investments, Initial Fair Value Adjustment Equity Method Investments, Initial Fair Value Adjustment Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year One Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year One Beginning Balance Ending Balance Temporary Equity, Carrying Amount, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Leases Lessor, Operating Leases [Text Block] Common Stock, Shares Issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Leisure Point Resort Leisure Point Resort [Member] Leisure Point Resort [Member] O'Fallon O'Fallon [Member] O'Fallon At acquistion date Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract] Brighton, Michigan MH Community Brighton, Michigan MH Community [Member] Brighton, Michigan MH Community Equity Method Investment, Cumulative Translation Adjustment Equity Method Investment, Cumulative Translation Adjustment Equity Method Investment, Cumulative Translation Adjustment Loss on extinguishment of debt (see Note 8) Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt Lease Income Lease Income Interest Costs Capitalized Interest Costs Capitalized Stingray Point Stingray Point [Member] Stingray Point Eurodollar [Member] Eurodollar [Member] Noncash investing and financing activities Noncash Investing and Financing Items [Abstract] Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense [Abstract] Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense [Abstract] Real Estate Held-for-sale Real Estate Held-for-sale Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Series C preferred OP unit Series C preferred OP units [Member] Series C preferred OP units [Member] Safe Harbor Marinas Safe Harbor Marinas [Member] Safe Harbor Marinas Unsecured debt (see Note 8) (including $35,249 and $35,249 for consolidated VIE at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; see Note 7) Unsecured Debt Measurement Frequency [Domain] Measurement Frequency [Domain] Interest expense Interest Expense 2021 (Excluding nine months ended September 30, 2021) Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year One Interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Purchase of tangible property Purchase of Tangible Property Purchase of Tangible Property City Area Code City Area Code Number of Real Estate Units Released Number of Real Estate Units Released Number of Real Estate Units Released Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Equity Method Investments Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block] Convertible debt - Aspen Preferred OP Units January 2024 [Member] Convertible debt - Aspen Preferred OP Units January 2024 [Member] Convertible debt - Aspen Preferred OP Units January 2024 [Member] Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Due Year Three Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Due Year Three Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payments, Due Year Three Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Preferred OP units - mandatorily redeemable Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Settlement Terms, Share Value, Amount Estimate of Fair Value Measurement Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] Award Date Two [Member] Award Date Two [Member] Award Date Two [Member] Vesting Type [Axis] Vesting Type [Axis] Vesting Type [Axis] Payments on lines of credit Repayments of Lines of Credit Recent Accounting Pronouncements Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Text Block] Safe Harbor Hideaway Bay Safe Harbor Hideaway Bay [Member] Safe Harbor Hideaway Bay Foreign currency translation Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest and Returns from Preferred Stock Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest and Returns from Preferred Stock Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Temporary Equity, Dividends For Term One, Percentage Temporary Equity, Dividends For Term One, Percentage Temporary Equity, Dividends For Term One, Percentage Common OP Units Common OP Units [Member] Common OP Units [Member] 2020 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Two Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Number of marinas owned (in marinas) Number of Marinas Owned Number of Marinas Owned Total Stockholders' Equity Beginning Balance Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Proceeds from issuance of debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Southern Leisure Resort Southern Leisure Resort [Member] Southern Leisure Resort Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Loss on Remeasurement of Investment Loss on Remeasurement of Investment Loss on Remeasurement of Investment Loss on Remeasurement of Investment Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, by Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Segment that Includes Disposal Group Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Segment that Includes Disposal Group Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Denominator Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding Reconciliation [Abstract] Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Goodwill And Other Intangibles Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Goodwill And Other Intangibles Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Goodwill And Other Intangibles Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Gig Harbor Gig Harbor [Member] Gig Harbor Entity File Number Entity File Number Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Thereafter Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, after Year Five Jensen Communities [Domain] Jensen Communities [Domain] Jensen Communities Number of Properties Subject to Ground Leases Number of Properties Subject to Ground Leases Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Shares Issued Under New Sales Agreement Shares Issued Under New Sales Agreement Shares Issued Under New Sales Agreement CEO Chief Executive Officer [Member] Short-term Lease, Cost Short-term Lease, Cost Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Equity Method Investment, Fair Value Adjustment Equity Method Investment, Fair Value Adjustment Equity Method Investment, Fair Value Adjustment Dividends Payable [Line Items] Dividends Payable [Line Items] Other Receivables, Storage And Lease Payments, Marina Other Receivables, Storage And Lease Payments, Marina Other Receivables, Storage And Lease Payments, Marina Tranquility MHC Tranquility MHC [Member] Tranquility MHC Domestic Tax Authority [Member] Domestic Tax Authority [Member] RV RV [Member] RV Less: allocation to restricted stock awards Income (loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders Allocable To Non Vested Restricted Shares Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Allocable To Non Vested Restricted Shares Number Of Land Parcels Acquired Adjacent To Existing Communities Number Of Land Parcels Acquired Adjacent To Existing Communities Number Of Land Parcels Acquired Adjacent To Existing Communities Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Notes Receivable, Fair Value Disclosure Notes Receivable, Fair Value Disclosure Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Axis] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payment, Due Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payment, Due Operating And Finance Leases, Liability, Payment, Due Jellystone at Barton Lake Jellystone at Barton Lake [Member] Jellystone at Barton Lake Line of Credit, Current Line of Credit, Current Number of MH sites (in sites) Number of MH Sites Number of MH Sites Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Forecast Forecast [Member] Current tax benefit / (expense) (see Note 12) State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Total Assets Assets Assets Payments to Acquire Limited Partnership Interests Payments to Acquire Limited Partnership Interests Common and preferred OP units Noncontrolling Interest in Operating Partnerships Plan Name [Domain] Plan Name [Domain] Director [Member] Director [Member] Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Common Equity Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Common Equity Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Common Equity Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activities Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activities Numerator Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Investment, Additional Purchase Investment, Additional Purchase Investment, Additional Purchase Kittatinny Portfolio(4) Hacienda del Rio [Member] Hacienda del Rio [Member] Distributions Distributions to stockholders, OP unit holders, and preferred OP unit holders Distributions to stockholders, Operating Partnership unit holders, and preferred Operating Partnership unit holders Less: Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests Noncontrolling Interest in Net Income (Loss) Operating Partnerships, Redeemable Non-controlling Interests Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity Variable Interest Entities, Consolidated, Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity Variable Interest Entities, Consolidated, Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares American Center American Center [Member] American Center [Member] Emigrant Gap, CA Emigrant Gap, CA [Member] Emigrant Gap, CA Other Contingent Liabilities, Contingent Consideration Other Contingent Liabilities, Contingent Consideration [Member] Other Contingent Liabilities, Contingent Consideration Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Schedule of debt and lines of credit [Table Text Block] Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Table] Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Subsequent Event [Line Items] Subsequent Event [Line Items] Property operating expenses Operating Expenses and Cost of Sales Operating Expenses and Cost of Sales Debt weighted average to maturity, years Debt weighted average to maturity, length Debt weighted average to maturity, length Debt weighted average to maturity, length Shelby Properties Shelby Properties [Member] Shelby Properties [Member] Total debt Secured Debt And Other Borrowings Secured Debt And Other Borrowings Earnings Per Share, Diluted Earnings Per Share, Diluted Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic Weighted average common shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Segments [Domain] Segments [Domain] Add: dilutive stock options Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment Cash paid for income taxes Income Taxes Paid, Net Sunroad Marina Sunroad Marina [Member] Sunroad Marina Comprehensive Income attributable to Sun Communities, Inc. Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Advanced reservation deposits and rent Contract with Customer, Liability Sun Menifee Sun Menifee [Member] Sun Menifee Number of Development Sites Number of Development Sites Number of Development Sites Conversion of Common OP Units to common stock (in shares) Conversion of units Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities Number of marinas managed (in marinas) Number of Marinas Managed Number of Marinas Managed Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Investment in property Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment Repayments of notes and other receivables Repayment of Notes and Other Receivables The cash inflow associated with principal collections from a borrowing supported by a written promise to pay an obligation. Common Stock And OP Units Common Stock And OP Units [Member] Common Stock And OP Units Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] Percent of Operating Leases Where Company is the Lessor Percent of Operating Leases Where Company is the Lessor Percent of Operating Leases Where Company is the Lessor Total Stockholders' Equity Parent [Member] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Schedule of Variable Interest Entities Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block] Total consideration, assets acquired and liabilities assumed, land Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Land Other assets, net (including $28,670 and $25,072 for consolidated VIEs at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; see Note 7) Other assets Other Assets Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Financial Instruments [Domain] Financial Instruments [Domain] Variable Interest Entity, Equity Interest Variable Interest Entity, Equity Interest Variable Interest Entity, Equity Interest Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward] Number of wet slips and moorings (in wet slips and moorings) Number Of Wet Slips And Moorings Number Of Wet Slips And Moorings Lauderdale Marine Center Lauderdale Marine Center [Member] Lauderdale Marine Center Aspen Preferred OP Units [Member] Aspen Preferred OP Units [Member] 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 [Line Items] A&R Facility [Member] A&R Facility [Member] A&R Facility [Member] Total lease expense Lease, Cost Customer Relationships Customer Relationships [Member] Number of RV Resorts Number of RV Resorts Number of RV Resorts Cherrystone Family Camping Cherrystone Family Camping [Member] Cherrystone Family Camping Countryside Village Countryside Village [Member] Countryside Village Furniture, fixtures and equipment Furniture and Fixtures, Gross Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Contingent Consideration Liability Contingent Consideration Liability [Member] Contingent Consideration Liability Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Marinas Marinas [Member] Marinas Below Market Leases Below Market Leases [Member] Below Market Leases [Member] Schedule of notes and other receivables Schedule of notes and other receivables [Table Text Block] Schedule of notes and other receivables [Table Text Block] Total revenues Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue Investment, Fair Value Adjustment Investment, Fair Value Adjustment Investment, Fair Value Adjustment NG Sun LLC [Member] NG Sun LLC [Member] NG Sun LLC [Member] Asset Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt Asset Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt Asset Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt Revenue From Home Sales [Member] Revenue From Home Sales [Member] Revenue From Home Sales [Member] Home sales Revenue From Home Sales Revenue from home sales. Document Quarterly Report Document Quarterly Report Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity Line of Credit Facility [Table] Line of Credit Facility [Table] Fiesta Village Fiesta Village [Member] Fiesta Village Brokerage commissions and other, net Brokerage commissions and other income, net Includes brokerage commissions, gain (loss) on sale of land, and other - net Other intangible assets, net Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill) Development Sites Number of Units in Real Estate Property, Development Sites Number of Units in Real Estate Property, Development Sites Sungenia JV [Member] Sungenia JV [Member] Sungenia JV [Member] SV Lift [Member] SV Lift [Member] SV Lift [Member] Net Income Net Income Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Safe Harbor Rockland Safe Harbor Rockland [Member] Safe Harbor Rockland Asset Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net Asset Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net Asset Acquisition, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, End of Period Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction Common Stock, Par Value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Temporary Equity Temporary Equity [Member] Temporary Equity [Member] Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Series E Preferred OP Units [Domain] Series E Preferred OP Units [Member] Series E Preferred OP Units [Member] Gross Carrying Amount Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract] Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block] Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Equity Interest Type [Axis] Equity Interest Type [Axis] Exercises in period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Fair Value, Recurring Fair Value, Recurring [Member] Home sale proceeds Home sale proceeds Home sale proceeds Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Equity and Temporary Equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Temporary Equity, Issuance Price Temporary Equity, Issuance Price Temporary Equity, Issuance Price Measurement Basis [Axis] Measurement Basis [Axis] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block] 2024 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Five Number Of Forward Sales Agreements Number Of Forward Sales Agreements Number Of Forward Sales Agreements Expected annual transient RV revenue Transient RV Revenue Transient RV Revenue Noncontrolling Interest in Limited Partnerships Noncontrolling Interest in Limited Partnerships Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments Number of motor home communities (in communities) Number of MH Communities Number of MH Communities Net Cash Used For Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Portion at Fair Value Measurement Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] Long-term Notes and Loans, by Type, Current and Noncurrent [Abstract] Long-term Notes and Loans, by Type, Current and Noncurrent [Abstract] In-place leases, goodwill and other intangible assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Liabilities, Inventory Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Liabilities, Inventory Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period Allen Harbor Allen Harbor [Member] Allen Harbor Sun Outdoors Sun Outdoors [Member] Sun Outdoors Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Payments of dividends Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Preferred Stock and Preference Stock Cash and escrow Cash paid for RV community acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross Crown Villa Glen Ellis [Member] Glen Ellis [Member] Line of credit, borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Safe Harbor Rybovich Safe Harbor Rybovich [Member] Safe Harbor Rybovich Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Accrued expenses and accounts payable Accounts Payable Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Operating And Finance Lease, Payments Operating And Finance Lease, Payments Operating And Finance Lease, Payments Receivable With Imputed Interest, Term Receivable With Imputed Interest, Term Receivable With Imputed Interest, Term Temporary equity (see Note 9) (including $37,064 and $32,719 for consolidated VIEs at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; see Note 7) Temporary Equity Temporary Equity Deferred Income Tax Charge Deferred Income Tax Charge [Member] Add: allocation to restricted stock awards Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Options and Restrictive Stock Units Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss Preferred Stock Preferred Stock [Member] Stock Issued During Period, Value, Dividend Reinvestment Plan Stock Issued During Period, Value, Dividend Reinvestment Plan Interest [Member] Interest [Member] Interest [Member] Cape Cod(1) Slick Rock [Member] Slick Rock [Member] Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Three Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Three Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Term Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Term Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Term Senior Unsecured Notes1 Senior Unsecured Notes1 [Member] Senior Unsecured Notes1 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Certificates and Obligations (FHLMC) [Member] Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Certificates and Obligations (FHLMC) [Member] Deferred Tax Asset [Domain] Deferred Tax Asset [Domain] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Beaver Brook Campground Beaver Brook Campground [Member] Beaver Brook Campground