Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Real estate assets:
Land	$ 337,220		$ 333,846
Buildings and improvements	2,865,981		2,879,289
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	93,919		92,170
Capital improvements in progress	74,294		53,790
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost, Total	3,371,414		3,359,095
Less accumulated depreciation	(980,036)		(961,724)
Real Estate Investment Property, Net, Total	2,391,378		2,397,371
Land held for future development	1,306		1,306
Commercial properties, net	8,014		8,125
Investments in real estate joint ventures	16,567		17,006
Real estate assets, net	2,417,265		2,423,808
Cash and cash equivalents	41,826		57,317
Restricted cash	22,740		1,362
Deferred financing costs, net	15,306		14,680
Other assets	26,167		29,195
Goodwill	4,106		4,106
Total assets	2,527,410		2,530,468
Liabilities:
Secured notes payable	1,353,056		1,514,755
Unsecured notes payable	187,000		135,000
Accounts payable	4,001		2,091
Fair market value of interest rate swaps	29,360		33,095
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	79,437		91,718
Security deposits	6,392		6,310
Total liabilities	1,659,246		1,782,969
Redeemable stock	4,446		4,037
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 40,940,360 and 38,959,338 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	409	[1]	389	[1]
Additional paid-in capital	1,491,183		1,375,623
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income	(625,266)		(621,833)
Accumulated other comprehensive losses	(31,800)		(35,848)
Total MAA shareholders' equity	834,526		718,331
Noncontrolling interest	29,192		25,131
Total equity	863,718		743,462
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,527,410		$ 2,530,468

[1] Number of shares issued and outstanding represent total shares of common stock regardless of classification on the consolidated balance sheet. The number of shares classified as redeemable stock on the consolidated balance sheet for March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are 66,326 and 65,771, respectively.