Related Party Transactions - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amounts payable to affiliates	$ 0	$ 4,629
Escrow Deposits, Prepaid Expenses, and Other Assets
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Due from related parties	8,500
American Homes 4 Rent, L.P.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amounts payable to affiliates	0	4,629
Amounts due from affiliates	25,666	$ 25,946
American Homes 4 Rent, L.P. | Escrow Deposits, Prepaid Expenses, and Other Assets
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Due from related parties	$ 8,500
Class A common shares/units
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	300,315,609	300,107,599
Class B common shares
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	635,075	635,075
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percent of shares held	27.40%	26.30%
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures | American Homes 4 Rent, L.P.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amounts due from affiliates	$ 25,700	$ 25,700
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures | Class A common shares/units
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percent of shares held	14.90%	13.60%
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	51,272,165	51,272,165
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures | Class B common shares
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	635,075	635,075