Contingencies (Details) (USD $)						1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012 General Liability Insurance	Jun. 30, 2012 Workers' Compensation Insurance	Jun. 30, 2012 Property Insurance	Jun. 30, 2012 Health Insurance Amount Per Claim	Jun. 30, 2012 Health Insurance Amount Per Person	Dec. 31, 2009 Colonial Properties Trust	Dec. 31, 2007 Colonial Properties Trust	Jun. 30, 2012 Colonial Properties Trust	Dec. 31, 2011 DRA/CLP JV Colonial Properties Trust
Contingencies
Significant joint venture transactions							2
Number of joint ventures exited						1
Guarantor obligations, current carrying value								$ 4,100,000	$ 4,100,000
Self-insurance limit	$ 800,000	$ 900,000	$ 1,800,000	$ 135,000	$ 2,000,000