Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
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)	35,350,000	38,350,000
Preferred shares, shares outstanding (in shares)	35,350,000	38,350,000
American Homes 4 Rent, L.P. | General Partner
Common units, shares/units issued (in shares)	296,531,294	286,749,712
Common units, shares/units outstanding (in shares)	296,531,294	286,749,712
Preferred units, shares/units issued (in shares)	35,350,000	38,350,000
Preferred units, shares/units outstanding (in shares)	35,350,000	38,350,000
American Homes 4 Rent, L.P. | Limited Partners
Common units, shares/units issued (in shares)	55,350,153	55,350,153
Common units, shares/units outstanding (in shares)	55,350,153	55,350,153
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)	295,896,219	286,114,637
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	295,896,219	286,114,637
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