Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Oct. 31, 2018
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, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Class A common shares/units
Document Information
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		295,896,219
Class B common shares
Document Information
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		635,075
American Homes 4 Rent, L.P.
Document Information
Entity Registrant Name	American Homes 4 Rent, L.P.
Entity Central Index Key	0001716558
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Statues	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false