Earnings Per Common Share of MAA (Details) (Parent Company [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Weighted average common shares - basic	75,145,000		74,803,000
Weighted average partnership units outstanding	0	[1]	0	[1]
Effect of dilutive securities	0	[2]	0	[2]
Weighted average common shares - diluted	75,145,000		74,803,000
Calculation of Basic Earnings per Share [Member]
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	64,244		9,819
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,387)		(534)
Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(130)		(17)
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	60,727		9,268
Income from discontinued operations	433		5,895
Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest	(23)		(314)
Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(1)		(10)
Income from discontinued operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	409		5,571
Earnings per share - basic	0.81		0.20
Calculation of Diluted Earnings per Share [Member]
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	64,244		9,819
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,387)	[1]	(534)	[1]
Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(130)	[2]	(17)	[2]
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	60,727		9,268
Income from discontinued operations	433		5,895
Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest	(23)	[1]	(314)	[1]
Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(1)	[2]	(10)	[2]
Income from discontinued operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	409		5,571
Earnings per share - diluted	0.81		0.20
Limited Partnership Units [Member]
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	4,200,000		4,200,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	100,000		100,000

[1] (1) For both the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, 4.2 million operating partnership units and their related income are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculations as they are not dilutive.

[2] (2) For both the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, 0.1 million potentially dilutive securities and their related income are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculations as they are not dilutive.