Earnings Per Common Share of MAA (Details) (Parent Company [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Weighted average common shares - basic	75,058		42,702		74,937		42,583
Weighted average partnership units outstanding	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	1,709
Effect of dilutive securities	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	53
Weighted average common shares - diluted	75,058		42,702		74,937		44,345
Calculation of Basic Earnings per Share [Member]
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 70,331		$ 16,297		$ 113,088		$ 52,734
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,722)		(632)		(6,005)		(1,973)
Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(130)		(14)		(209)		(46)
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	66,479		15,651		106,874		50,715
Income from discontinued operations	388		29,759		6,731		76,355
Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest	(21)		(1,140)		(359)		(2,563)
Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(1)		(25)		(12)		(67)
Income from discontinued operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	366		28,594		6,360		73,725
Earnings per share - basic	$ 0.89		$ 1.04		$ 1.51		$ 2.92
Calculation of Diluted Earnings per Share [Member]
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	70,331		16,297		113,088		52,734
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,725)	[1]	(632)	[1]	(6,005)	[1]	0
Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(130)	[1]	(14)	[1]	(209)	[1]	0
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	66,476		15,651		106,874		52,734
Income from discontinued operations	388		29,759		6,731		76,355
Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest	(21)	[1]	(1,140)	[1]	(357)	[1]	0
Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(1)	[1]	(25)	[1]	(12)	[1]	0
Income from discontinued operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$ 366		$ 28,594		$ 6,362		$ 76,355
Earnings per share - diluted	$ 0.89		$ 1.04		$ 1.51		$ 2.91

[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.