Shareholders' Equity of MAA - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) apartmentunits shares	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2014 shares
Statement [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding	75,375,027	75,194,807
Total common shares and operating partnership units outstanding	79,561,396	79,401,933
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | apartmentunits	79,977
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	11,755	7,362
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common Shares Issuable Upon Conversion Of Convertible Stock	4,186,369	4,207,126
Parent Company [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding	75,375,027		75,267,675
Exercise of stock options | $	$ 420	$ 9,544
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common stock shares, outstanding option	58,112	121,992
Equity Option [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		222,921