Shareholders' Equity of MAA - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding	75,345,023us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding	75,009,303us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding
Total common shares and operating partnership units outstanding	79,534,989	79,217,829
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	81,976
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	11,646us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired	6,554us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common Shares Issuable Upon Conversion Of Convertible Stock	4,189,966	4,208,526
Parent Company [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding	75,345,023		75,267,675
Exercise of stock options	$ 0	$ 1,775
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common stock shares, outstanding option	74,454	296,583
Equity Option [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	0	57,330

Common Shares and Operating Partnership Units, Outstanding

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Common Shares Issuable upon Conversion of Convertible Stock

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Number of shares of common stock outstanding. Common stock represent the ownership interest in a corporation.

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The number of units in a real estate property owned as of the balance sheet date.

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The cash inflow associated with the amount received from holders exercising their stock options. This item inherently excludes any excess tax benefit, which the entity may have realized and reported separately.

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Number of options outstanding, including both vested and non-vested options.

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Number of new stock issued during the period.

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Number of shares that have been repurchased during the period and are being held in treasury.

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