Earnings per Share / Unit - Computation of Earnings per Share (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Numerator:
Net income	$ 70,014	$ 48,921
Less:
Noncontrolling interest	8,312	4,925
Dividends on preferred shares	5,763	13,782
Allocation to participating securities	197	93
Numerator for income per common share–basic and diluted	$ 55,742	$ 30,121
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares) | shares	345,742,526	316,982,460
Effect of dilutive securities:
Share-based compensation plan and forward sale equity contracts | shares	738,297	458,937
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares) | shares	346,480,823	317,441,397
Net income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.16	$ 0.10
Diluted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.16	$ 0.09
Exchange rate	1
American Homes 4 Rent, L.P.
Numerator:
Net income	$ 70,014	$ 48,921
Less:
Dividends on preferred shares	5,763	13,782
Allocation to participating securities	197	93
Numerator for income per common share–basic and diluted	$ 64,054	$ 35,046
Denominator:
Weighted-average common units outstanding - basic (in shares) | shares	397,119,506	368,647,217
Effect of dilutive securities:
Share-based compensation plan and forward sale equity contracts | shares	738,297	458,937
Weighted-average common units outstanding - diluted (in shares) | shares	397,857,803	369,106,154
Net income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.16	$ 0.10
Diluted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.16	$ 0.09