Consolidation and Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014 Property Communities States		Jun. 30, 2013
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
General Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	75,194,807		42,736,134
Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Managing Member or General Partner, Ownership Interest	94.70%		96.20%
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted	0.36
Number of Wholly Owned Real Estate Properties	269
Number of apartments included in a community	83,075
Number of states in which apartment units are located	14
Number of owned or owned interests of apartment communities	271
Percentage Of Ownership Interests	100.00%
Minimum [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Percentage Of Ownership Interests	95.00%
Maximum [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Percentage Of Ownership Interests	100.00%
Development Properties [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of apartments included in a community	0
Number of owned or owned interests of apartment communities	2
Number of units under development community	514
Development Properties [Member] | Expected Costs [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Capital improvements in progress	$ 72,000
Development Properties [Member] | Costs Incurred to Date [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Capital improvements in progress	$ 38,300
Retail
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Square Footage of Real Estate Property	100,000
Number of owned or owned interests of apartment communities	4
Commercial Real Estate [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Square Footage of Real Estate Property	287,000
Number of owned or owned interests of apartment communities	3
Partially Owned Properties [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Square Footage of Real Estate Property	30,000
Number of owned or owned interests of apartment communities	1
Mid America Multifamily Fund I I L L C [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	33.33%
Real Estate Acquired, Number of Units	300	[1]
Belterra [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	10.00%
Real Estate Acquired, Number of Units	288	[2]
Colonial Grand at McKinney [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	25.00%
Real Estate Acquired, Number of Units	0	[3]
Building Partnership 600 [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	33.30%
Square Footage of Real Estate Property	29,971

[1] (1) This joint venture is comprised of one apartment community.

[2] (2) This joint venture is not managed by MAA.

[3] (3) This joint venture consists of undeveloped land.