MAA Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parent Company [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Parent Company [Member]
Assets:
Land	$ 889,912	$ 907,598
Buildings and improvements	6,558,169	6,763,978
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	203,808	212,850
Development and capital improvements in progress	71,119	80,772
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost	7,723,008	7,965,198
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,268,103)	(1,358,399)
Real Estate Investment Property, Net	6,454,905	6,606,799
Undeveloped land	47,242	47,242
Corporate properties, net	8,337	7,988
Investments in real estate joint ventures	1,802	1,791
Assets held for sale	175,292	36,452
Real estate assets, net	6,687,578	6,700,272
Cash and cash equivalents	18,331	25,401
Restricted cash	26,951	28,181
Deferred financing costs, net	13,638	17,812
Other assets	50,863	57,041
Goodwill	2,321	2,321
Total assets	6,799,682	6,831,028
Liabilities:
Secured notes payable	1,429,069	1,592,116
Unsecured notes payable	2,050,424	1,932,399
Accounts payable	7,680	8,395
Fair market value of interest rate swaps	15,007	13,392
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	195,222	216,478
Security deposits	10,490	10,526
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale	32,084	0
Total liabilities	3,739,976	3,773,306
Redeemable stock	6,309	5,911
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock	753	752
Additional paid-in capital	3,619,976	3,619,270
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income	(726,062)	(729,086)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,453)	(412)
Total MAA shareholders' equity	2,892,214	2,890,524
Noncontrolling interest	161,183	161,287
Total equity	3,053,397	3,051,811
Total liabilities and equity	$ 6,799,682	$ 6,831,028
Redeemable stock, shares issued and outstanding	81,645	87,818