Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, 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
Limited Partner [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total operating revenues									$ 634,734	$ 475,888	$ 409,782
Income from continuing operations before non-operating items									116,891	123,904	88,795
Interest expense									75,915	57,937	56,383
Loss from real estate joint ventures									338	(223)	(593)
Income from discontinued operations before gain on sale									4,654	6,153	9,099
Gain on sale of discontinued operations									65,520	41,635	12,799
Consolidated net income									107,544	109,040	50,588
Earnings per share - basic									$ 2.02	$ 2.54	$ 1.29
Earnings per share - diluted									$ 2.02	$ 2.54	$ 1.29
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
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
Income from continuing operations before non-operating items	15,719	32,405	31,920	36,847	35,592	30,477	29,482	28,353	116,891	123,904	88,795
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]
Loss from real estate joint ventures	177	60	47	54	(53)	(72)	(67)	(31)	338	(223)	(593)	[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
Gain 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
Consolidated net income	(9,810)	46,056	61,028	22,005	23,207	32,078	29,472	25,068	119,279	109,825	51,231
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(538)	1,772	1,939	825	900	1,212	1,312	1,178	3,998	4,602	2,410	[1]
Net income (loss) available for MAA common shareholders	(9,272)	44,284	59,089	21,180	22,307	30,866	28,160	23,890	115,281	105,223	48,821	[1]
Earnings per share - basic	$ (0.12)	$ 1.04	$ 1.38	$ 0.50	$ 0.53	$ 0.74	$ 0.69	$ 0.60	$ 2.27	$ 2.56	$ 1.32
Earnings per share - diluted	$ (0.12)	$ 1.04	$ 1.37	$ 0.50	$ 0.53	$ 0.74	$ 0.69	$ 0.60	$ 2.25	$ 2.56	$ 1.31
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	$ 0.6950	$ 0.6950	$ 0.6950	$ 0.6950	$ 0.6600	$ 0.6600	$ 0.6600	$ 0.6600	$ 2.78	$ 2.64	$ 2.51
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Name | Limited Partner [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
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
Income from continuing operations before non-operating items	15,719	32,405	31,920	36,847	35,592	30,477	29,482	28,353
Interest expense	30,258	14,923	15,189	15,545	15,583	14,507	13,971	13,876	458	1,858	2,578
Loss from real estate joint ventures	177	60	47	54	(53)	(72)	(67)	(31)
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 on sale of discontinued operations	4,935	28,806	31,779	0	3,161	16,092	12,953	9,429
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Unitholders	(9,824)	46,075	49,500	21,793	22,993	31,882	29,284	24,881
Earnings per share - basic	$ (0.12)	$ 1.04	$ 1.12	$ 0.49	$ 0.52	$ 0.75	$ 0.69	$ 0.60
Earnings per share - diluted	$ (0.12)	$ 1.04	$ 1.12	$ 0.49	$ 0.52	$ 0.75	$ 0.69	$ 0.60
Distribution Paid	$ 0.6950	$ 0.6950	$ 0.6950	$ 0.6950	$ 0.6600	$ 0.6600	$ 0.6600	$ 0.6600
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Name | Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total operating revenues									14,444	30,304	44,107
Interest expense									458	1,867	2,673
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.