Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Parent Company [Member]
Consolidated net income	$ 224,402	$ 350,745	$ 156,277
Unrealized (loss) gain from the effective portion of derivative instruments	(1,500)	(8,306)	(12,335)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	4,364	7,064	11,785
Total Comprehensive Income	227,266	349,503	155,727
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(12,311)	(18,393)	(8,267)
Comprehensive income attributable to MAA	214,955	331,110	147,460
Limited Partner [Member]
Consolidated net income	224,402	350,745	156,277
Unrealized (loss) gain from the effective portion of derivative instruments	(1,500)	(8,306)	(12,335)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	4,364	7,064	11,785
Comprehensive income attributable to Mid-America Apartments, L.P.	$ 227,266	$ 349,503	$ 155,727