Shareholders' Equity of MAA - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Feb. 25, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014 At The Market ATM Programs [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 At The Market ATM Programs [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 At The Market ATM Programs [Member]	Aug. 26, 2010 Maximum [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding	75,194,807	42,736,134	75,194,807	42,736,134		4,134,989	4,134,989
Common Shares Issuable Upon Conversion Of Convertible Stock										4,207,126	1,707,660
Total common shares and operating partnership units outstanding	79,401,933	44,443,794	79,401,933	44,443,794
Common stock shares, outstanding option	121,992	0	121,992	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						39,845	0	365,011
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of applicable fees						$ 2,700,000		$ 24,800,000
Proceeds from Issuance of common stock						2,800,000		25,100,000
Common stock issued, Dividend and Distribution Reinvestment and Share Purchase Program	300	188	640	329
Proceeds from Issuance of common stock, Dividend and Distribution Reinvestment and Share Purchase Program	$ 21,000	$ 13,000	$ 44,000	$ 22,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired			7,362	4,582