Earnings from Discontinued Operations (Summary of Discontinued Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations attributable to MAA									$ 36,146	$ 58,790	$ 27,435
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,131	2,414	1,267
Income from continuing operations									37,277	61,204	28,702
Income from discontinued operations attributable to MAA									79,135	46,433	21,386
Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest									2,867	2,188	1,143
Income from discontinued operations									82,002	48,621	22,529
Limited Partner [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests									33	53	21
Income from continuing operations									37,277	61,204	28,702
Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest									62	41	10
Income from discontinued operations									70,267	47,836	21,886
Revenues
Rental revenues									580,207	436,658	373,797
Other revenues									53,880	38,331	34,968
Total operating revenues									634,734	475,888	409,782
Expenses
Property operating expenses									440,293	315,360	279,572
Interest expense									75,915	57,937	56,383
Income from discontinued operations before gain on sale									4,654	6,153	9,099
Net gain (loss) on insurance and other settlement proceeds on discontinued operations									93	48	(12)
Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations									65,520	41,635	12,799
Limited Partner [Member] | Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Name
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income from discontinued operations									70,267	47,836	21,886
Revenues
Rental revenues									12,202	25,374	37,760
Other revenues									1,099	2,514	3,990
Total operating revenues	239,607	135,406	131,801	127,920	126,020	122,157	116,729	110,982	13,301	27,888	41,750
Expenses
Property operating expenses									5,709	12,997	20,219
Depreciation and amortization									2,480	6,880	9,854
Interest expense	30,258	14,923	15,189	15,545	15,583	14,507	13,971	13,876	458	1,858	2,578
Total expense									8,647	21,735	32,651
Income from discontinued operations before gain on sale	600	973	1,511	1,570	1,566	850	1,863	1,874	4,654	6,153	9,099
Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations	4,935	28,806	31,779	0	3,161	16,092	12,953	9,429
Parent Company [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,131
Income from continuing operations									37,277	61,204	28,702
Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest									2,867
Income from discontinued operations									82,002	48,621	22,529	[1]
Revenues
Rental revenues									580,207	436,658	373,797
Other revenues									53,880	38,331	34,968
Total operating revenues	239,607	135,406	131,801	127,920	126,020	122,157	116,729	110,982	634,734	475,888	409,782
Expenses
Property operating expenses									440,293	315,360	279,572
Interest expense	30,258	14,923	15,189	15,545	15,583	14,507	13,971	13,876	75,915	57,937	56,383	[1]
Income from discontinued operations before gain on sale	614	972	1,697	1,782	1,780	1,046	2,051	2,061	5,065	6,938	9,742
Net gain (loss) on insurance and other settlement proceeds on discontinued operations									93	48	(12)
Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations	4,935	28,788	43,121	0	3,161	16,092	12,953	9,429	76,844	41,635	12,799
Parent Company [Member] | Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Name
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income from discontinued operations									82,002	48,621	22,529
Revenues
Rental revenues									13,255	27,598	39,923
Other revenues									1,189	2,706	4,184
Total operating revenues									14,444	30,304	44,107
Expenses
Property operating expenses									6,205	14,066	21,274
Depreciation and amortization									2,716	7,433	10,418
Interest expense									458	1,867	2,673
Total expense									9,379	23,366	34,365
Income from discontinued operations before gain on sale									$ 5,065	$ 6,938	$ 9,742

[1] The 2011 column shows the segment break down based on the 2012 same store portfolios. A comparison using the 2013 same store portfolio would not be comparative due to the nature of the classifications.