Total Equity and its Components (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended																																9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 Common Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Common Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Common Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Common Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Total Equity			$ 945,110	$ 743,462											$ 39,644	$ 31,058	$ 31,197	$ 25,131	$ (4,599)	$ (26,054)	$ (30,467)	$ (35,848)	$ (567,662)	$ (603,315)	$ (596,027)	$ (621,833)	$ 1,562,211	$ 1,542,999	$ 1,520,250	$ 1,375,623	$ 427	$ 422	$ 419	$ 389
Net income	46,056	32,078	129,089	86,618									4,536	3,702
Net income attributable to MAA	44,284	30,866	124,553	82,916					124,553	82,916
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments (cash flow hedges)			22,194	7,111							21,455	5,381	739	1,730
Issuance and registration of common shares			25,038	173,962	4	28	25,034	173,934
Shares repurchased and retired			682	1,863	0	0	682	1,863
Shares issued in exchange for units			0	0	(1)	(2)	(549)	(2,670)					(550)	(2,672)
Redeemable stock fair market value			209	(168)					209	(168)
Adjustment for Noncontrolling Interest Ownership in operating partnership			0	0			(7,418)	(4,812)					7,418	4,812
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments, Description			0																																2161	24871	-27032
Amortization of unearned compensation			1,729	1,730			1,729	1,730
Total Equity	1,030,021	925,372	1,030,021	925,372											39,644	31,058	31,197	25,131	(4,599)	(26,054)	(30,467)	(35,848)	(567,662)	(603,315)	(596,027)	(621,833)	1,562,211	1,542,999	1,520,250	1,375,623	427	422	419	389
Dividends on common stock ($.6950 and $.6600 for the 3 months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012)			89,109	81,813					89,109	81,813			0	0
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units ($.6950 and $.6600 for the 3 months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012)			$ 3,557	$ 3,667									$ 3,557	$ 3,667