Earnings Per Common Share of MAA (Details) (Parent Company [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	74,948		42,690		74,876		42,523
Weighted average partnership units outstanding	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	1,711
Effect of dilutive securities	0	[1]	0	[1]	162		60
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	74,948		42,690		75,038		44,294
Calculation of Basic Earnings per Share [Member]
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Income from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 29,302		$ 16,214		$ 36,000		$ 36,437
Gain on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment	3,658		0		6,222		0
(Loss) Gain on Disposition of Other Assets	(22)		0		535		0
Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(1,749)		(580)		(2,283)		(1,341)
Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(64)		(14)		0		(32)
Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations Available for Common Shareholders, Basic	31,125		15,620		40,474		35,064
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	448		44,814		6,343		46,596
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(24)		(1,359)		(338)		(1,423)
Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(1)		(39)		(12)		(42)
Adjusted Income from Discontinued Operations Available for Common Shareholders, Basic	423		43,416		5,993		45,131
Basic Earnings Per Share	$ 0.42		$ 1.38		$ 0.62		$ 1.89
Calculation of Diluted Earnings per Share [Member]
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Income from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	29,302		16,214		36,000		36,437
Gain on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment	3,658		0		6,222		0
(Loss) Gain on Disposition of Other Assets	(22)		0		535		0
Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(1,749)	[1]	(623)	[1]	(2,283)	[1]	0
Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(64)	[1]	(14)	[1]	0		0
Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations Available for Common Shareholders, Diluted	31,125		15,577		40,474		36,437
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	448		44,814		6,343		46,596
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(24)	[1]	(1,722)	[1]	(338)	[1]	0
Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(1)	[1]	(39)	[1]	0		0
Adjusted Income from Discontinued Operations Available for Common Shareholders, Diluted	$ 423		$ 43,053		$ 6,005		$ 46,596
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$ 0.42		$ 1.37		$ 0.62		$ 1.87

[1] (1) Operating partnership units, other dilutive securities, and the related income with each are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculations as they were not dilutive.