Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ (35,848)	$ (48,847)	$ (47,435)
Unrealized losses from the effective portion of derivative instruments	(8,411)	(14,012)	(35,539)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (interest rate contracts)	20,113	27,639	34,021
Net current-period other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,908)	(628)	106
Net current-period other comprehensive income attributable to MAA	9,794	12,999	(1,412)
Ending balance	$ (26,054)	$ (35,848)	$ (48,847)

Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge.

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This element represents Other Comprehensive Income or Loss, Net of Tax, for the period attributable to noncontrolling interest. Includes deferred gains or losses on qualifying hedges, unrealized holding gains or losses on available-for-sale securities, minimum pension liability, and cumulative translation adjustment.

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This element represents Other Comprehensive Income or Loss, Net of Tax, for the period attributable to the parent entity. Includes deferred gains or losses on qualifying hedges, unrealized holding gains or losses on available-for-sale securities, minimum pension liability, and cumulative translation adjustment.

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Net of tax effect of the reclassification adjustment for accumulated gains and losses from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges included in accumulated comprehensive income that was realized in net income during the period.

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Pre tax change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. A cash flow hedge is a hedge of the exposure to variability in the cash flows of a recognized asset or liability or a forecasted transaction that is attributable to a particular risk. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's Increase or Decrease in deferred hedging gains or losses.

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