Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Single-family properties:
Land	$ 1,756,504	$ 1,713,496
Buildings and improvements	7,691,877	7,483,600
Single-family properties in operation	9,448,381	9,197,096
Less: accumulated depreciation	(1,462,105)	(1,176,499)
Single-family properties in operation, net	7,986,276	8,020,597
Single-family properties under development and development land	355,427	153,651
Single-family properties held for sale, net	209,828	318,327
Total real estate assets, net	8,551,531	8,492,575
Cash and cash equivalents	37,575	30,284
Restricted cash	126,544	144,930
Rent and other receivables, net	29,618	29,027
Total	202,056	146,034
Deferred costs and other intangibles, net	6,840	12,686
Asset-backed securitization certificates	25,666	25,666
Goodwill	120,279	120,279
Total assets	9,100,109	9,001,481
Liabilities
Asset-backed securitizations, net	1,945,044	1,961,511
Unsecured senior notes, net	888,453	492,800
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	243,193	219,229
Amounts payable to affiliates	4,629	4,967
Total liabilities	3,081,319	3,027,739
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 14)
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred shares ($0.01 par value per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 35,350,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 2018)	354	354
Additional paid-in capital	5,790,775	5,732,466
Accumulated deficit	(465,368)	(491,214)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	6,658	7,393
Total shareholders' equity	5,335,426	5,251,965
Limited partner:
Accumulated other comprehensive income	6,658	7,393
Noncontrolling interest	683,364	721,777
Total equity	6,018,790	5,973,742
Total liabilities and equity/capital	9,100,109	9,001,481
Class A common shares/units
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, value, issued	3,001	2,960
Class B common shares
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, value, issued	6	6
Term loan facility, net
Liabilities
Revolving credit facility and Term loan facility, net	0	99,232
Revolving Credit Facility
Liabilities
Revolving credit facility and Term loan facility, net	0	250,000
American Homes 4 Rent, L.P.
Single-family properties:
Land	1,756,504	1,713,496
Buildings and improvements	7,691,877	7,483,600
Single-family properties in operation	9,448,381	9,197,096
Less: accumulated depreciation	(1,462,105)	(1,176,499)
Single-family properties in operation, net	7,986,276	8,020,597
Single-family properties under development and development land	355,427	153,651
Single-family properties held for sale, net	209,828	318,327
Total real estate assets, net	8,551,531	8,492,575
Cash and cash equivalents	37,575	30,284
Restricted cash	126,544	144,930
Rent and other receivables, net	29,618	29,027
Total	201,776	145,807
Amounts due from affiliates	25,946	25,893
Deferred costs and other intangibles, net	6,840	12,686
Goodwill	120,279	120,279
Total assets	9,100,109	9,001,481
Liabilities
Asset-backed securitizations, net	1,945,044	1,961,511
Unsecured senior notes, net	888,453	492,800
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	243,193	219,229
Amounts payable to affiliates	4,629	4,967
Total liabilities	3,081,319	3,027,739
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 14)
Shareholders' equity:
Accumulated other comprehensive income	7,823	8,786
Limited partner:
Accumulated other comprehensive income	7,823	8,786
Total capital	6,018,790	5,973,742
Total liabilities and equity/capital	9,100,109	9,001,481
American Homes 4 Rent, L.P. | Common Units
General partner:
General partner, capital account	4,474,333	4,390,137
Limited partner:
Limited partners, capital account	682,199	720,384
American Homes 4 Rent, L.P. | Preferred Shares/Units
General partner:
General partner, capital account	854,435	854,435
American Homes 4 Rent, L.P. | Term loan facility, net
Liabilities
Revolving credit facility and Term loan facility, net	0	99,232
American Homes 4 Rent, L.P. | Revolving Credit Facility
Liabilities
Revolving credit facility and Term loan facility, net	$ 0	$ 250,000