Shareholders' Equity of MAA - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) apartmentunits shares	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2014 shares
Statement [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding	75,379,381	75,242,266
Total common shares and operating partnership units outstanding	79,564,446	79,444,389
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | apartmentunits	79,024
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	11,914	9,292
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common Shares Issuable Upon Conversion Of Convertible Stock	4,185,065	4,202,123
Parent Company [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding	75,379,381		75,267,675
Exercise of stock options | $	$ 420	$ 11,916
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common stock shares, outstanding option	58,112	81,654
Equity Option [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		263,259