Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Preferred shares, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred shares, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	47,810,000	37,010,000
Preferred shares, shares outstanding (in shares)	47,810,000	37,010,000
American Homes 4 Rent, L.P. | General Partner
Common units, shares/units issued (in shares)	274,240,778	243,375,557
Common units, shares/units outstanding (in shares)	274,240,778	243,375,557
Preferred units, shares/units issued (in shares)	47,810,000	37,010,000
Preferred units, shares/units outstanding (in shares)	47,810,000	37,010,000
American Homes 4 Rent, L.P. | Limited Partners
Common units, shares/units issued (in shares)	55,449,466	55,555,960
Common units, shares/units outstanding (in shares)	55,449,466	55,555,960
Class A common shares/units
Common shares, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common shares, shares authorized (in shares)	450,000,000	450,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	273,605,703	242,740,482
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	273,605,703	242,740,482
Class B common shares
Common shares, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common shares, shares authorized (in shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	635,075	635,075
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	635,075	635,075