MAA Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parent Company [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Parent Company [Member]
Assets:
Land	$ 872,786	$ 871,316
Buildings and improvements	6,595,550	6,366,701
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	208,653	199,573
Development and capital improvements in progress	59,161	166,048
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost	7,736,150	7,603,638
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,288,374)	(1,124,207)
Real Estate Investment Property, Net	6,447,776	6,479,431
Undeveloped land	58,700	63,850
Corporate properties, net	8,263	7,523
Investments in real estate joint ventures	1,802	5,499
Real estate assets, net	6,516,541	6,556,303
Cash and cash equivalents	87,766	89,333
Restricted cash	59,786	44,361
Deferred financing costs, net	17,870	17,424
Other assets	62,996	91,637
Goodwill	2,321	4,106
Assets held for sale	35,734	38,761
Total assets	6,783,014	6,841,925
Liabilities:
Secured notes payable	1,554,592	1,790,935
Unsecured notes payable	1,875,422	1,681,783
Accounts payable	10,089	15,067
Fair market value of interest rate swaps	13,132	20,015
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	238,849	206,268
Security deposits	9,970	9,270
Total liabilities	3,702,054	3,723,338
Redeemable stock	5,028	5,050
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock	752	747
Additional paid-in capital	3,616,847	3,599,549
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income	(705,022)	(653,593)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	396	108
Total MAA shareholders' equity	2,912,973	2,946,811
Noncontrolling interest	162,959	166,726
Total equity	3,075,932	3,113,537
Total liabilities and equity	$ 6,783,014	$ 6,841,925
Redeemable stock, shares issued and outstanding	85,164	83,139