Net Income (Loss) Per Share of the Trust (Details) (Colonial Properties Trust, USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Colonial Properties Trust
Numerator:
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$ 16,377	$ (6,437)	$ 10,401	$ (18,060)
Adjusted by:
Income from discontinued operations	(2,070)	(1,391)	(2,924)	(2,841)
Income allocated to participating securities	(142)	(101)	(269)	(202)
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to common shareholders	$ 14,165	$ (7,929)	$ 7,208	$ (21,103)
Denominator:
Denominator for basic net income (loss) per share - weighted average common shares	87,201,000	83,588,000	87,106,000	81,562,000
Effect of dilutive securities	289,000	0	276,000	0
Denominator for diluted net income (loss) per share/unit - adjusted weighted average common shares/units	87,490,000	83,588,000	87,382,000	81,562,000
Earnings Per Share, Diluted
Dilutive share equivalents	289,047	243,871	276,401	216,412
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	709,258	1,014,842	709,258	1,014,842