Earnings from Discontinued Operations (Summary of Discontinued Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Depreciation and Amortization, Discontinued Operations									$ 2,300
Parent Company [Member]
Expenses
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 16	$ (103)	$ 0	$ 5,481	0	$ 5,394	$ 76,844
Parent Company [Member] | Discontinued Operations [Member]
Revenues
Rental Revenues										75	12,499
Other Revenue (Expense) from Real Estate Operations										10	1,189
Total Revenues										85	13,688
Expenses
Property Operating Expenses										74	5,886
Depreciation and amortization										42	2,716
Interest Expense and Other										32	436
Total expense										148	9,038
Discontinued Operation, Income from Discontinued Operation During Phase-out Period, Net of Tax										(63)	4,650
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Other Income										0	93
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax										5,394	76,844
Discontinued Operation, Gain on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax										5,331	81,587
Limited Partner [Member]
Expenses
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 16	$ (103)	$ 0	$ 5,481	0	5,394	65,520
Limited Partner [Member] | Discontinued Operations [Member]
Revenues
Rental Revenues										75	11,446
Other Revenue (Expense) from Real Estate Operations										10	1,099
Total Revenues										85	12,545
Expenses
Property Operating Expenses										74	5,390
Depreciation and amortization										42	2,480
Interest Expense and Other										32	436
Total expense										148	8,306
Discontinued Operation, Income from Discontinued Operation During Phase-out Period, Net of Tax										(63)	4,239
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Other Income										0	93
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax										5,394	65,520
Discontinued Operation, Gain on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax										5,331	69,852
Continuing Operations [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations attributable to MAA									332,287	142,933	36,539
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests									18,458	8,013	1,153
Income from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									350,745	150,946	37,692
Discontinued Operations [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent									0	5,047	78,742
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									0	284	2,845
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									0	5,331	$ 81,587
Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment									$ 34,100	$ 36,500