Consolidated Statements of Equity and Accumulated Earnings (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member] Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member] Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member] General Partner [Member]	Common Stock [Member] Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member] Limited Partner [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total Company Equity [Member]	Total Company Equity [Member] Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests - Consolidated Real Estate Entities [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests - Consolidated Real Estate Entities [Member] Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 1,285,960	$ 1,285,960	$ 9	$ 43,392	$ 546	$ 14,057	$ 1,232,186	$ 1,114,851	$ 185,001	$ (3,675)	$ (3,675)	$ (10,772)	$ 1,285,960	$ 1,285,960
Comprehensive income (loss)	38,760	38,760		1,844		378	37,331		39,553	(793)	(793)		38,760	38,760
Employee stock purchase, stock option and other	76	76				1	75	(26)	(390)			492	76	76
Stock-based compensation	2,625	2,625				26	2,599	2,625					2,625	2,625
Dividends to preferred shareholders	(1,844)	(1,844)		(1,844)					(1,844)				(1,844)	(1,844)
Dividends to common shareholders ($0.94 and $0.84 per share for the year 2016 and 2015 respectively)	(45,858)	(45,858)				(460)	(45,398)		(45,858)				(45,858)	(45,858)
Adjustment to redemption value of redeemable common units	517	517					517		517				517	517
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2015	1,280,236	1,280,236	9	43,392	546	14,002	1,227,310	1,117,450	176,979	(4,468)	(4,468)	(10,280)	1,280,236	1,280,236
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	1,243,027	1,243,027	9	43,392	546	13,610	1,187,836	1,117,627	167,791	(3,356)	(3,356)	(41,135)	1,241,482	1,241,482	$ 1,545	$ 1,545
Comprehensive income (loss)	38,410	38,410		1,844		404	39,867		42,115	(3,705)	(3,705)		38,410	38,410
Employee stock purchase, stock option and other	1,293	1,293				13	1,280	(320)	(504)			2,117	1,293	1,293
Adjustment for ownership interest of redeemable common units	66	66					66	66					66	66
Stock-based compensation	2,201	2,201				22	2,179	2,201					2,201	2,201
Treasury stock acquisitions	(32,744)	(32,744)				(327)	(32,417)					(32,744)	(32,744)	(32,744)
Dividends to preferred shareholders	(1,844)	(1,844)		(1,844)					(1,844)				(1,844)	(1,844)
Dividends to common shareholders ($0.94 and $0.84 per share for the year 2016 and 2015 respectively)	(50,279)	(50,279)				(504)	(49,775)		(50,279)				(50,279)	(50,279)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities	463	463													463	463
Adjustment to redemption value of redeemable common units	(321)	(321)					(321)		(321)				(321)	(321)
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2016	$ 1,200,272	$ 1,200,272	$ 9	$ 43,392	$ 546	$ 13,218	$ 1,148,715	$ 1,119,574	$ 156,958	$ (7,061)	$ (7,061)	$ (71,762)	$ 1,198,264	$ 1,198,264	$ 2,008	$ 2,008