Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Redeemable stock, shares issued and outstanding	80,626	72,786
Real estate assets:
Land	$ 394,848	$ 386,670
Buildings and improvements	3,247,874	3,170,413
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	102,013	98,044
Capital improvements in progress	31,595	52,455
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost, Total	3,776,330	3,707,582
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,068,873)	(1,027,618)
Real Estate Investment Property, Net, Total	2,707,457	2,679,964
Land held for future development	5,450	1,205
Commercial properties, net	7,664	8,065
Investments in real estate joint ventures	3,237	4,837
Real estate assets, net	2,723,808	2,694,071
Cash and cash equivalents	181,105	9,075
Restricted cash	58,579	808
Deferred financing costs, net	13,629	13,842
Other assets	47,030	29,166
Goodwill	4,106	4,106
Total assets	3,028,257	2,751,068
Liabilities:
Secured notes payable	1,050,202	1,190,848
Unsecured notes payable	810,000	483,000
Accounts payable	6,963	4,586
Fair market value of interest rate swaps	9,858	21,423
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	109,282	94,719
Security deposits	6,892	6,669
Total liabilities	1,993,197	1,801,245
Redeemable stock	5,039	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	427	422
Additional paid-in capital	1,562,211	1,542,999
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income	(567,662)	(603,315)
Accumulated other comprehensive losses	(4,599)	(26,054)
Total MAA shareholders' equity	990,377	914,052
Noncontrolling interest	39,644	31,058
Total equity	1,030,021	945,110
Total liabilities and equity	$ 3,028,257	$ 2,751,068