Director/Executive Compensation	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Director Executive Compensation [Abstract]
DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION	DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Elective Deferred Compensation Program The Associated Estates Realty Corporation Elective Deferred Compensation Program is an unfunded, non-qualified deferred compensation program that is subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, which strictly regulates the timing of elections and payment. Eligibility under the plan shall be determined by the Executive Compensation Committee or its designee, and at December 31, 2013, each of our appointed and/or elected officers was eligible. This plan permits deferral of up to 90.0% of base salary and up to 100% of any incentive payment. An individual bookkeeping account will be maintained for each participant. Participants are provided a number of measurement funds from which they may select to determine earnings, which may be, but are not required to be, the same as those offered under our 401(k) savings plan. Deferrals of base salary and incentive payments (other than restricted shares, discussed below) are fully vested. The plan also permits the deferral of the receipt of restricted shares granted under the 2011 Plan, which also will be reflected in a separate bookkeeping account for each individual as share equivalent units. Dividend credits shall be made to such account in the form of share equivalent units. Distribution of amounts reflected by such share equivalents will be made in the form of shares. The vesting of share equivalent units (together with associated dividend credits for performance based awards) occurs on the same schedule as the restricted shares that had been deferred. The plan allows for in-service and separation sub-accounts to permit election of distribution at either a specified date or following separation. Payment of each deferral under the plan will be made in the form specified in the participant's election, and may be in the form of a lump sum or annual installment payments over a period not to exceed four years. Payment of each deferral under the plan will be made on account of separation from service, death, or disability, or at a time specified by the participant, within the parameters set forth in the plan. Re-deferral elections are permitted within the parameters set forth in the plan. Accounts will be distributed upon a change of control, and distribution due to unforeseen financial hardship is also possible. At December 31, 2013, there were 307,207 share equivalent units deferred under this plan of which 235,786 represent the deferred share awards and 71,421 of which represent dividend units. At December 31, 2012, there were 286,002 share equivalent units deferred under this plan of which 228,430 represent the deferred share awards and 57,572 of which represent dividend units. Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan The Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan allows persons serving as non-employee Directors the option of deferring receipt of compensation otherwise payable to them for their services as Directors, and creates an opportunity for appreciation of the amount deferred based upon the performance of our common shares. Prior to January 1 of each year, any eligible Director may elect to defer all or a portion of the fees otherwise payable to that Director for that year, and such amount will be credited to a deferral account maintained on behalf of the Director. Fees for each period are converted to "share units" and credited to the deferral account as they are earned. This plan also permits the deferral of the receipt of restricted shares granted, which also will be reflected in a separate bookkeeping account for each individual as share equivalent units. Each deferral account is increased when we pay a dividend on our common shares by the number of share units that represent the dividend paid per share multiplied by the number of share units in the account on the date of record for the related dividend payment. Share units representing deferred fees and dividend units are vested at all times. Share units representing deferred restricted shares vest on the same schedule as the restricted shares that were deferred. In December 2009 and effective on January 1, 2010, this plan was modified such that all distributions from the plan will be in the form of our common shares instead of cash, except for distributions with a commencement date of December 31, 2009 or prior, which are being made in cash. As a result, the value of the deferred compensation is included in "Paid-in capital" and is not adjusted based upon subsequent changes in the price of our common shares. At December 31, 2013, there were 282,242 share equivalent units under this plan, of which 88,260 units represent the deferral of cash fees earned, 111,916 represents the deferral of shares and 82,066 units represent the deferral of dividends. Distributions of $45,000, $45,000 and $55,000 were made in cash from this plan during 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Additionally, 20,651, 59,988 and 6,276 shares were distributed from this plan during 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Executive Compensation and Employment Agreements On December 31, 2012, we entered into the Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated December 31, 2012, with Mr. Jeffrey I. Friedman, the Company's Chairman, President and CEO (the “Amended Agreement”). The Amended Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2013, removes the prior “evergreen” term and replaces it with a five year term, unless terminated prior to that time by reason of Mr. Friedman's death, permanent disability or retirement or by the Company for “cause” or without “cause” (as such terms are defined in the Amended Agreement). The Amended Agreement eliminates the tax gross-up provisions relating to Internal Revenue Code Section 280G that were contained in Mr. Friedman's prior employment agreement. The Amended Agreement also eliminates the so-called “single trigger” provision that allowed Mr. Friedman to voluntarily terminate his employment with the Company following a change in control and receive severance benefits. The Amended Agreement also includes non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that apply during the term of the agreement and for a period of three years following termination of the agreement. Additionally, we have severance arrangements with certain other executive officers. Annual Incentive Plan In February 2011, the Executive Compensation Committee (the "Committee") approved the terms of the Annual Incentive Plan for Officers. Annual incentives emphasize pay for performance and serve as a key means of driving current objectives and priorities. The Committee determines specific compensation levels for the five most highly compensated officers ("Officers"), which includes our five "Named Executive Officers." Officers are rewarded for accomplishing our short-term financial and business unit objectives. Annual incentive opportunities for the Officers were linked to same property NOI, as defined, business unit objectives and individual performance. The Officers earned annual incentives of approximately $2.0 million, $1.9 million and $1.8 million in cash in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Long-Term Incentive Plan Our Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") is intended to create a stronger link to shareholder returns, reward long-term performance and foster retention of the executives. The Committee determines specific compensation levels for our Officers. Each Officer has threshold, target and maximum award opportunities established that are expressed as a percentage of base salary. The framework of the LTIP includes a single-year and multi-year component. Single-year component. Objectives under the single-year LTIP are established annually at the beginning of the year and evaluated at the conclusion of the year. If one or all of the objectives is met, a grant of restricted shares will be issued. One-third of the issued shares will vest immediately and the remaining two-thirds will vest in equal, annual installments. Restricted shares, if issued, have voting rights and dividends will be paid on them during the restricted period. In February of each year, the Committee approves the terms of that year's single-year component of the LTIP. This component focused primarily on interest coverage and fixed charge coverage financial ratios and same property NOI. Officers earned approximately $1.8 million, $2.1 million and $2.3 million under the single-year LTIP in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Multi-year component. The multi-year component focuses on performance over a three-year measurement period. Grants under the multi-year component are issued and metrics and objectives are established every three years. Any shares that are earned at the end of the measurement period will vest one year from the end of such measurement period. Restricted shares have voting rights and dividends accrue and earn interest at a rate determined by the Executive Compensation Committee during the restricted period. Only the dividends and accrued interest attributable to shares that vest will be paid when such shares vest. In February 2013, the Committee approved the terms of the 2013 multi-year component. This component focuses on absolute and relative cumulative total shareholder return over the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, and continued employment with the Company through December 31, 2016. Total shareholder return threshold, target and maximum objectives were established and a grant of restricted shares was issued to the Officers in February 2013 with an intrinsic value of $7.1 million. Shares granted under this component, if any, are eligible for vesting on December 31, 2016, which is the end of the service period. In February 2010, the Committee approved the terms of the 2010 multi-year component. This component focused on absolute and relative cumulative total shareholder return over the three-year period ending December 31, 2012, and continued employment with the Company through December 31, 2013. Total shareholder return threshold, target and maximum objectives were established and a grant of restricted shares was issued to the Officers in February 2010 with an intrinsic value of $3.9 million. Based upon the performance for the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, shares having an intrinsic value of $3.3 million when granted vested on December 31, 2013, which was the end of the service period.

DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Elective Deferred Compensation Program

The Associated Estates Realty Corporation Elective Deferred Compensation Program is an unfunded, non-qualified deferred compensation program that is subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, which strictly regulates the timing of elections and payment. Eligibility under the plan shall be determined by the Executive Compensation Committee or its designee, and at December 31, 2013, each of our appointed and/or elected officers was eligible.

This plan permits deferral of up to 90.0% of base salary and up to 100% of any incentive payment. An individual bookkeeping account will be maintained for each participant. Participants are provided a number of measurement funds from which they may select to determine earnings, which may be, but are not required to be, the same as those offered under our 401(k) savings plan. Deferrals of base salary and incentive payments (other than restricted shares, discussed below) are fully vested.

The plan also permits the deferral of the receipt of restricted shares granted under the 2011 Plan, which also will be reflected in a separate bookkeeping account for each individual as share equivalent units. Dividend credits shall be made to such account in the form of share equivalent units. Distribution of amounts reflected by such share equivalents will be made in the form of shares. The vesting of share equivalent units (together with associated dividend credits for performance based awards) occurs on the same schedule as the restricted shares that had been deferred.

The plan allows for in-service and separation sub-accounts to permit election of distribution at either a specified date or following separation. Payment of each deferral under the plan will be made in the form specified in the participant's election, and may be in the form of a lump sum or annual installment payments over a period not to exceed four years. Payment of each deferral under the plan will be made on account of separation from service, death, or disability, or at a time specified by the participant, within the parameters set forth in the plan. Re-deferral elections are permitted within the parameters set forth in the plan. Accounts will be distributed upon a change of control, and distribution due to unforeseen financial hardship is also possible.

At December 31, 2013, there were 307,207 share equivalent units deferred under this plan of which 235,786 represent the deferred share awards and 71,421 of which represent dividend units. At December 31, 2012, there were 286,002 share equivalent units deferred under this plan of which 228,430 represent the deferred share awards and 57,572 of which represent dividend units.

Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan

The Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan allows persons serving as non-employee Directors the option of deferring receipt of compensation otherwise payable to them for their services as Directors, and creates an opportunity for appreciation of the amount deferred based upon the performance of our common shares.

Prior to January 1 of each year, any eligible Director may elect to defer all or a portion of the fees otherwise payable to that Director for that year, and such amount will be credited to a deferral account maintained on behalf of the Director. Fees for each period are converted to "share units" and credited to the deferral account as they are earned. This plan also permits the deferral of the receipt of restricted shares granted, which also will be reflected in a separate bookkeeping account for each individual as share equivalent units.

Each deferral account is increased when we pay a dividend on our common shares by the number of share units that represent the dividend paid per share multiplied by the number of share units in the account on the date of record for the related dividend payment. Share units representing deferred fees and dividend units are vested at all times. Share units representing deferred restricted shares vest on the same schedule as the restricted shares that were deferred. In December 2009 and effective on January 1, 2010, this plan was modified such that all distributions from the plan will be in the form of our common shares instead of cash, except for distributions with a commencement date of December 31, 2009 or prior, which are being made in cash. As a result, the value of the deferred compensation is included in "Paid-in capital" and is not adjusted based upon subsequent changes in the price of our common shares. At December 31, 2013, there were 282,242 share equivalent units under this plan, of which 88,260 units represent the deferral of cash fees earned, 111,916 represents the deferral of shares and 82,066 units represent the deferral of dividends. Distributions of $45,000, $45,000 and $55,000 were made in cash from this plan during 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Additionally, 20,651, 59,988 and 6,276 shares were distributed from this plan during 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Executive Compensation and Employment Agreements

On December 31, 2012, we entered into the Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated December 31, 2012, with Mr. Jeffrey I. Friedman, the Company's Chairman, President and CEO (the “Amended Agreement”).

The Amended Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2013, removes the prior “evergreen” term and replaces it with a five year term, unless terminated prior to that time by reason of Mr. Friedman's death, permanent disability or retirement or by the Company for “cause” or without “cause” (as such terms are defined in the Amended Agreement). The Amended Agreement eliminates the tax gross-up provisions relating to Internal Revenue Code Section 280G that were contained in Mr. Friedman's prior employment agreement. The Amended Agreement also eliminates the so-called “single trigger” provision that allowed Mr. Friedman to voluntarily terminate his employment with the Company following a change in control and receive severance benefits. The Amended Agreement also includes non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that apply during the term of the agreement and for a period of three years following termination of the agreement.

Additionally, we have severance arrangements with certain other executive officers.

Annual Incentive Plan

In February 2011, the Executive Compensation Committee (the "Committee") approved the terms of the Annual Incentive Plan for Officers. Annual incentives emphasize pay for performance and serve as a key means of driving current objectives and priorities. The Committee determines specific compensation levels for the five most highly compensated officers ("Officers"), which includes our five "Named Executive Officers." Officers are rewarded for accomplishing our short-term financial and business unit objectives. Annual incentive opportunities for the Officers were linked to same property NOI, as defined, business unit objectives and individual performance. The Officers earned annual incentives of approximately $2.0 million, $1.9 million and $1.8 million in cash in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Long-Term Incentive Plan

Our Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") is intended to create a stronger link to shareholder returns, reward long-term performance and foster retention of the executives. The Committee determines specific compensation levels for our Officers. Each Officer has threshold, target and maximum award opportunities established that are expressed as a percentage of base salary. The framework of the LTIP includes a single-year and multi-year component.

Single-year component. Objectives under the single-year LTIP are established annually at the beginning of the year and evaluated at the conclusion of the year. If one or all of the objectives is met, a grant of restricted shares will be issued. One-third of the issued shares will vest immediately and the remaining two-thirds will vest in equal, annual installments. Restricted shares, if issued, have voting rights and dividends will be paid on them during the restricted period.

In February of each year, the Committee approves the terms of that year's single-year component of the LTIP. This component focused primarily on interest coverage and fixed charge coverage financial ratios and same property NOI. Officers earned approximately $1.8 million, $2.1 million and $2.3 million under the single-year LTIP in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Multi-year component. The multi-year component focuses on performance over a three-year measurement period. Grants under the multi-year component are issued and metrics and objectives are established every three years. Any shares that are earned at the end of the measurement period will vest one year from the end of such measurement period. Restricted shares have voting rights and dividends accrue and earn interest at a rate determined by the Executive Compensation Committee during the restricted period. Only the dividends and accrued interest attributable to shares that vest will be paid when such shares vest.

In February 2013, the Committee approved the terms of the 2013 multi-year component. This component focuses on absolute and relative cumulative total shareholder return over the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, and continued employment with the Company through December 31, 2016. Total shareholder return threshold, target and maximum objectives were established and a grant of restricted shares was issued to the Officers in February 2013 with an intrinsic value of $7.1 million. Shares granted under this component, if any, are eligible for vesting on December 31, 2016, which is the end of the service period.

In February 2010, the Committee approved the terms of the 2010 multi-year component. This component focused on absolute and relative cumulative total shareholder return over the three-year period ending December 31, 2012, and continued employment with the Company through December 31, 2013. Total shareholder return threshold, target and maximum objectives were established and a grant of restricted shares was issued to the Officers in February 2010 with an intrinsic value of $3.9 million. Based upon the performance for the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, shares having an intrinsic value of $3.3 million when granted vested on December 31, 2013, which was the end of the service period.