Shareholders' Equity of MAA - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	867,846
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$ 50.00
Preferred Stock, Redemption Date	Oct. 01, 2026
Preferred Stock, Redemption Price Per Share	$ 50.00
Common stock, shares outstanding	113,574,798		75,505,025
Total common shares and operating partnership units outstanding	117,792,242		79,667,188
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	47,480	18,887
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	0
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	8.50%
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Per-Dollar-Amount	$ 4.25
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value	$ 43.4
Parent Company [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	867,846		867,846
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$ 50		$ 50
Common stock, shares outstanding	113,574,798		113,518,212
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common stock shares, outstanding option	147,282		58,112
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Common Shares Issuable Upon Conversion Of Convertible Stock	4,217,444	4,162,163