Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Real estate assets:
Land	$ 389,839	$ 386,670
Buildings and improvements	3,223,326	3,170,413
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	101,214	98,044
Capital improvements in progress	51,625	52,455
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost, Total	3,766,004	3,707,582
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,059,563)	(1,027,618)
Real Estate Investment Property, Net, Total	2,706,441	2,679,964
Land held for future development	1,205	1,205
Commercial properties, net	7,875	8,065
Investments in real estate joint ventures	749	4,837
Real estate assets, net	2,716,270	2,694,071
Cash and cash equivalents	8,224	9,075
Restricted cash	649	808
Deferred financing costs, net	12,989	13,842
Other assets	32,770	29,166
Goodwill	4,106	4,106
Total assets	2,775,008	2,751,068
Liabilities:
Secured notes payable	1,114,253	1,190,848
Unsecured notes payable	577,000	483,000
Accounts payable	5,672	4,586
Fair market value of interest rate swaps	17,313	21,423
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	86,436	94,719
Security deposits	6,830	6,669
Total liabilities	1,807,504	1,801,245
Redeemable stock	5,191	4,713
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	426	422
Additional paid-in capital	1,565,755	1,542,999
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income	(612,128)	(603,315)
Accumulated other comprehensive losses	(21,869)	(26,054)
Total MAA shareholders' equity	932,184	914,052
Noncontrolling interest	30,129	31,058
Total equity	962,313	945,110
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,775,008	$ 2,751,068