Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Shares Outstanding
Weighted average common shares - basic (shares)									41,039	36,995	31,856
Weighted average partnership units outstanding (shares)									1,834	1,992	0	[1]
Effect of dilutive securities (shares)									64	100	121
Weighted average common shares - diluted (shares)									42,937	39,087	31,977
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations, adjusted									$ 64,761	$ 33,059	$ 15,754
Income from discontinued operations, adjusted									40,437	15,521	2,301
Net income attributable to common shareholders, adjusted									105,198	48,580	18,055
Calculation of Earnings per Share - basic
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders (dollars per share)									$ 1.58	$ 0.90	$ 0.50
Discontinued property operations (dollars per share)									$ 0.98	$ 0.42	$ 0.07
Net income available for common shareholders (dollars per share)	$ 0.53	$ 0.74	$ 0.69	$ 0.60	$ 0.49	$ 0.37	$ 0.20	$ 0.25	$ 2.56	$ 1.32	$ 0.57
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted [Abstract]
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	22,307	30,866	28,160	23,890	18,758	13,791	7,428	8,844	105,223	48,821	18,063
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									4,602	2,410	0	[1]
Net income attributable to discontinued operations, adjusted									(42,260)	(16,412)	(2,287)
Income from continuing operations									$ 67,565	$ 34,819	$ 15,776
Weighted average common shares - diluted (shares)									42,937	39,087	31,977
Earnings per share - diluted:
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders (dollars per share)									$ 1.57	$ 0.89	$ 0.49
Discontinued property operations (dollars per share)									$ 0.99	$ 0.42	$ 0.07
Net income available for common shareholders (dollars per share)	$ 0.53	$ 0.74	$ 0.69	$ 0.60	$ 0.49	$ 0.37	$ 0.20	$ 0.24	$ 2.56	$ 1.31	$ 0.56

[1] Operating partnership units and related net income are not included in dilutive earnings per share calculations for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2010 as they were not dilutive.