Shareholders' Equity of MAA - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014 At Market A T M Programs [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 At Market A T M Programs [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 At The Market ATM Programs [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 At The Market ATM Programs [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Aug. 26, 2010 Maximum [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	4,208,526	1,707,660
Common stock, shares outstanding	75,009,303	42,683,322
Common Shares Issuable Upon Conversion Of Convertible Stock								4,208,526	1,707,660
Total common shares and operating partnership units outstanding	79,217,829	44,390,982
Common stock shares, outstanding option	296,583		0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions	31,916,765							2,574,631
Agreement to sell common stock with financial service companies, shares		4,500,000								6,000,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues				0	325,166	4,134,989
proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of applicable fees							$ 22,000,000
Proceeds from Issuance of common stock							22,300,000
Common stock issued, Dividend and Distribution Reinvestment and Share Purchase Program	340	141
Proceeds from Issuance of common stock, Dividend and Distribution Reinvestment and Share Purchase Program	$ 23,000	$ 10,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	6,554	4,582