Business	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
BUSINESS	BUSINESS Except as the context otherwise requires, all references to "we," "our," "us," "AERC," "AEC" and the "Company" in this report collectively refer to Associated Estates Realty Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. We are a fully-integrated, self-administered and self-managed equity real estate investment trust ("REIT") specializing in multifamily ownership, operation, acquisition, development, disposition and property management activities. Our primary source of income is rental payments from the leasing of apartment units. Additional income is derived from commercial rents, property management fees and construction services fees. As of June 30, 2015, our operating portfolio consisted of 50 apartment communities containing 12,786 units in nine states that are owned, either directly or indirectly, through subsidiaries. In conjunction with our acquisition of land for development of an apartment community, we acquired a commercial building in Los Angeles, California, containing approximately 78,800 total square feet of office and commercial space. Additionally, we provide property management services for two apartment communities that we expect to acquire pursuant to existing contracts.

Business

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Except as the context otherwise requires, all references to "we," "our," "us," "AERC," "AEC" and the "Company" in this report collectively refer to Associated Estates Realty Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

We are a fully-integrated, self-administered and self-managed equity real estate investment trust ("REIT") specializing in multifamily ownership, operation, acquisition, development, disposition and property management activities. Our primary source of income is rental payments from the leasing of apartment units. Additional income is derived from commercial rents, property management fees and construction services fees. As of June 30, 2015, our operating portfolio consisted of 50 apartment communities containing 12,786 units in nine states that are owned, either directly or indirectly, through subsidiaries. In conjunction with our acquisition of land for development of an apartment community, we acquired a commercial building in Los Angeles, California, containing approximately 78,800 total square feet of office and commercial space. Additionally, we provide property management services for two apartment communities that we expect to acquire pursuant to existing contracts.