Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Parent Company [Member]
Consolidated net income	$ 350,745	$ 156,277	$ 119,279
Unrealized (loss) gain from the effective portion of derivative instruments	(8,306)	(12,335)	10,684
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	7,064	11,785	16,370
Total Comprehensive Income	349,503	155,727	146,333
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(18,393)	(8,267)	(4,890)
Comprehensive income attributable to MAA	331,110	147,460	141,443
Limited Partner [Member]
Consolidated net income	350,745	156,277	107,544
Unrealized (loss) gain from the effective portion of derivative instruments	(8,306)	(12,335)	10,684
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	7,064	11,785	16,370
Comprehensive income attributable to Mid-America Apartments, L.P.	$ 349,503	$ 155,727	$ 134,598