Shareholders' Equity - Noncontrolling Interest Narrative (Details) - shares	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Class A Units | Operating Partnership
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Equity interest rate	81.40%				93.50%
Units outstanding (in shares)	298,931,517				222,311,255
Series D Convertible Units | Operating Partnership
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Units owned (in shares)		8,750,000
AH LLC
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Equity interest rate	18.40%				22.10%
AH LLC | Class A Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Units owned (in shares)	54,276,644				14,440,670
AH LLC | Class A Units | Operating Partnership
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Equity interest rate	18.20%				6.50%
AH LLC | Series C Convertible Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Units owned (in shares)	0				31,085,974
AH LLC | Series C Convertible Units | Operating Partnership
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Units owned (in shares)				31,085,974
AH LLC | Series D Convertible Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Units owned (in shares)	0				4,375,000
American Residential Properties Inc. | Class A Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Units outstanding (in shares)			1,343,843
American Residential Properties Inc. | Class A Units | Operating Partnership
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Equity interest rate	0.40%
Units outstanding (in shares)	1,279,316