MAA Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parent Company [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Parent Company [Member]
Assets:
Land	$ 877,368	$ 871,316
Buildings and improvements	6,602,860	6,366,701
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	206,877	199,573
Capital improvements in progress	84,502	166,048
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost	7,771,607	7,603,638
Real Estate Investment Property, Accumulated Depreciation	(1,258,554)	(1,124,207)
Real Estate Investment Property, Net	6,513,053	6,479,431
Land Available for Development	59,195	63,850
Commercial properties, net	8,285	7,523
Investments in real estate joint ventures	3,295	5,499
Real estate assets, net	6,583,828	6,556,303
Cash and cash equivalents	26,318	89,333
Restricted cash	64,683	44,361
Deferred financing costs, net	18,262	17,424
Other assets	51,789	91,637
Goodwill	4,106	4,106
Real Estate Held-for-sale	34,135	38,761
Total assets	6,783,121	6,841,925
Liabilities:
Secured notes payable	1,563,014	1,790,935
Unsecured notes payable	1,912,399	1,681,783
Accounts payable	15,297	15,067
Fair market value of interest rate swaps	17,997	20,015
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	201,997	206,190
Security deposits	9,808	9,270
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale	0	78
Total liabilities	3,720,512	3,723,338
Redeemable stock	5,407	5,050
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock	751	747
Additional paid-in capital	3,613,221	3,599,549
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income	(717,642)	(653,593)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income , Net of Tax	(1,395)	108
Total MAA shareholders' equity	2,894,935	2,946,811
Noncontrolling interest	162,267	166,726
Total equity	3,057,202	3,113,537
Total liabilities and equity	$ 6,783,121	$ 6,841,925
Redeemable stock, shares issued and outstanding	82,511	83,139