Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Nov. 02, 2016
Document Information
Entity Registrant Name	American Homes 4 Rent
Entity Central Index Key	0001562401
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Statues	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Class A common shares
Document Information
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		237,796,784
Class B common shares
Document Information
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		635,075