Revenues and NOI for Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Revenues
Total property revenues	$ 133,190	$ 116,017
Management fee income	177	269
Total operating revenues	133,367	116,286
Net Operating Income	80,413	69,516
Discontinued operations NOI included above	0	(1,837)
Depreciation and amortization	(33,433)	(29,718)
Acquisition credit (expense)	(10)	634
Property management expense	(5,331)	(5,454)
General and administrative expense	(3,239)	(3,447)
Interest and other non-property income	47	142
Interest expense	(15,716)	(14,110)
Gain on debt extinguishment	(169)	20
Amortization of deferred financing costs	(804)	(771)
Net casualty loss and other settlement proceeds	16	(4)
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	54	(31)
Discontinued operations	0	(9,859)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(825)	(1,178)
Net income attributable to MAA	21,180	23,890
Large Market Same Store
Revenues
Real Estate Revenue, Net, Adjusted	62,703	59,254
Net Operating Income	37,755	34,599
Secondary Market Same Store
Revenues
Real Estate Revenue, Net, Adjusted	51,342	49,647
Net Operating Income	31,049	29,312
Non-Same Store and Other
Revenues
Real Estate Revenue, Net, Adjusted	19,145	7,116
Net Operating Income	$ 11,609	$ 5,605