Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Real estate assets:
Land	$ 386,670		$ 333,846
Buildings and improvements	3,170,413		2,879,289
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	98,044		92,170
Development and capital improvements in progress	52,455		53,790
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost, Total	3,707,582		3,359,095
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,027,618)		(961,724)
Real Estate Investment Property, Net, Total	2,679,964		2,397,371
Land held for future development	1,205		1,306
Commercial properties, net	8,065		8,125
Investments in real estate joint ventures	4,837		17,006
Real estate assets, net	2,694,071		2,423,808
Cash and cash equivalents	9,075		57,317
Restricted cash	808		1,362
Deferred financing costs, net	13,842		14,680
Other assets	29,166		29,195
Goodwill	4,106		4,106
Total assets	2,751,068		2,530,468
Liabilities:
Secured notes payable	1,190,848		1,514,755
Unsecured notes payable	483,000		135,000
Accounts payable	4,586		2,091
Fair market value of interest rate swaps	21,423		33,095
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	94,719		91,718
Security deposits	6,669		6,310
Total liabilities	1,801,245		1,782,969
Redeemable stock	4,713		4,037
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 42,316,398 and 38,959,338 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	422	[1]	389	[1]
Additional paid-in capital	1,542,999		1,375,623
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income	(603,315)		(621,833)
Accumulated other comprehensive losses	(26,054)		(35,848)
Total MAA shareholders' equity	914,052		718,331
Noncontrolling interest	31,058		25,131
Total equity	945,110		743,462
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,751,068		$ 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 December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are 72,786 and 65,771, respectively.