Earnings per Share / Unit - Narrative (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from calculation of EPS (in shares)	7,078,066	26,342,332	29,474,000	26,342,332
American Homes 4 Rent, L.P.
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from calculation of EPS (in shares)	7,078,066	26,342,332	29,474,000	26,342,332
American Homes 4 Rent, L.P. | Series C Convertible Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Income allocated to limited partners	$ 0		$ 0.00	$ 0.46
American Homes 4 Rent, L.P. | Series D Convertible Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Income allocated to limited partners	0.00	$ 0.87	$ 0.00	$ 0.99
American Homes 4 Rent, L.P. | Series E Convertible Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Income allocated to limited partners	$ 0