Shareholders' Equity of MAA - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding	75,524,086	75,375,027
Total common shares and operating partnership units outstanding	79,683,089	79,561,396
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	18,988	11,755
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common Shares Issuable Upon Conversion Of Convertible Stock	4,159,003	4,186,369
Parent Company [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding	75,505,025		75,408,571
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	$ 0	$ 420
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common stock shares, outstanding option	39,084	58,112
Equity Option [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		7,342