MAA Equity Parenthetical (Details) - Parent Company [Member] - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity Disclosure [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.77	$ 0.73	$ 2.31	$ 2.19
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distributions Declared, Per Unit			$ 2.31	$ 2.19