Partners' Capital of Mid-America Apartments, L.P. (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Schedule of Capital Structure [Line Items]
Limited Partners' Capital Account	$ 287,316,070	$ 117,931,000
Redeemable Capital Shares Par Or Stated Value Per Share		$ 69.06
Operating partnership units outstanding	79,217,829	44,390,982
General Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	75,009,303	42,683,322
Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Managing Member or General Partner, Ownership Interest	94.70%	96.20%
Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	4,208,526	1,707,660
Units Issued During Period, Acquisitions	34,491,396
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Schedule of Capital Structure [Line Items]
Redeemable Capital Shares Par Or Stated Value Per Share	$ 68.27
Common Shares Issuable Upon Conversion Of Convertible Stock	4,208,526	1,707,660