Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation [Abstract]
Basis Of Presentation And Principles Of Consolidation Policy [Policy Text Block]	Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by our management in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of MAA presented herein include the accounts of MAA, the Operating Partnership, and all other subsidiaries in which MAA has a controlling financial interest. MAA owns approximately 92.5% to 100% of all consolidated subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of MAALP presented herein include the accounts of MAALP and all other subsidiaries in which MAALP has a controlling financial interest. MAALP owns, directly or indirectly, 92.5% to 100% of all consolidated subsidiaries. In our opinion, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been included, and all such adjustments were of a normal recurring nature. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. We invest in entities which may qualify as variable interest entities, or VIEs, and the limited partnership is considered a VIE. A VIE is a legal entity in which the equity investors lack sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or, as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack the power to direct the activities of a legal entity as well as the obligation to absorb its expected losses or the right to receive its expected residual returns. The limited partnership is classified as a VIE, since the limited partners lack substantive kick-out rights and substantive participating rights. We consolidate all VIEs for which we are the primary beneficiary and use the equity method to account for investments that qualify as VIEs but for which we are not the primary beneficiary. In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we consider qualitative and quantitative factors, including but not limited to, those activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and which party controls such activities. We use the equity method of accounting for our investments in entities for which we exercise significant influence, but do not have the ability to exercise control. The factors considered in determining that we do not have the ability to exercise control include ownership of voting interests and participatory rights of investors (see "Investment in Unconsolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures" below). Noncontrolling Interests At June 30, 2017, the Company had two types of noncontrolling interests, (1) noncontrolling interests related to the common unitholders of the Operating Partnership (see Note 11) and (2) noncontrolling interests related to its consolidated real estate entities (see "Investment in Consolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures" below). Investment in Unconsolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures Immediately prior to the effective date of the Merger, Post Properties together with other institutional investors, in a limited liability company, or the Apartment LLC, owned one apartment community located in Washington, D.C. Post Properties had a 35.0% equity interest in this unconsolidated joint venture, which we retained immediately following the effectiveness of the Merger and as of June 30, 2017. We provide property and asset management services to the Apartment LLC for which we earn fees. This joint venture was determined to be a VIE, but we are not designated as a primary beneficiary. As a result, we account for our investment in the Apartment LLC using the equity method of accounting as we are able to exert significant influence, but do not have a controlling interest in this joint venture. At June 30, 2017, our investment in the Apartment LLC totaled $44.8 million. Investment in Consolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures In 2015, Post Properties entered into a joint venture arrangement with a private real estate company to develop, construct and operate a 358-unit apartment community in Denver, Colorado. At June 30, 2017, we owned a 92.5% equity interest in the consolidated joint venture. In 2015, this joint venture acquired the land site and initiated the development of the apartment community. The venture partner will generally be responsible for the development and construction of the community and we will continue to manage the community upon its completion. This joint venture was determined to be a VIE with us designated as the primary beneficiary. As a result, the accounts of the joint venture are consolidated by us. At June 30, 2017, our consolidated assets, liabilities and equity included construction in progress of $51.6 million, land of $14.5 million, and accounts payable and accrued expenses of $5.8 million. Assets Held for Sale During June 2017, the criteria for classifying three apartment communities and one land parcel as held for sale were met, and as a result, the assets and liabilities for these properties were presented as held for sale in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, we ceased recording depreciation and amortization following the held for sale designation for these properties. See Note 16 (Subsequent Events) for details on the July 2017 disposition of these properties.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by our management in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of MAA presented herein include the accounts of MAA, the Operating Partnership, and all other subsidiaries in which MAA has a controlling financial interest. MAA owns approximately 92.5% to 100% of all consolidated subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of MAALP presented herein include the accounts of MAALP and all other subsidiaries in which MAALP has a controlling financial interest. MAALP owns, directly or indirectly, 92.5% to 100% of all consolidated subsidiaries. In our opinion, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been included, and all such adjustments were of a normal recurring nature. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

We invest in entities which may qualify as variable interest entities, or VIEs, and the limited partnership is considered a VIE. A VIE is a legal entity in which the equity investors lack sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or, as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack the power to direct the activities of a legal entity as well as the obligation to absorb its expected losses or the right to receive its expected residual returns. The limited partnership is classified as a VIE, since the limited partners lack substantive kick-out rights and substantive participating rights. We consolidate all VIEs for which we are the primary beneficiary and use the equity method to account for investments that qualify as VIEs but for which we are not the primary beneficiary. In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we consider qualitative and quantitative factors, including but not limited to, those activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and which party controls such activities.

We use the equity method of accounting for our investments in entities for which we exercise significant influence, but do not have the ability to exercise control. The factors considered in determining that we do not have the ability to exercise control include ownership of voting interests and participatory rights of investors (see "Investment in Unconsolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures" below).

Noncontrolling Interests

At June 30, 2017, the Company had two types of noncontrolling interests, (1) noncontrolling interests related to the common unitholders of the Operating Partnership (see Note 11) and (2) noncontrolling interests related to its consolidated real estate entities (see "Investment in Consolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures" below).

Investment in Unconsolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures

Immediately prior to the effective date of the Merger, Post Properties together with other institutional investors, in a limited liability company, or the Apartment LLC, owned one apartment community located in Washington, D.C. Post Properties had a 35.0% equity interest in this unconsolidated joint venture, which we retained immediately following the effectiveness of the Merger and as of June 30, 2017. We provide property and asset management services to the Apartment LLC for which we earn fees.

This joint venture was determined to be a VIE, but we are not designated as a primary beneficiary. As a result, we account for our investment in the Apartment LLC using the equity method of accounting as we are able to exert significant influence, but do not have a controlling interest in this joint venture. At June 30, 2017, our investment in the Apartment LLC totaled $44.8 million.

Investment in Consolidated Real Estate Joint Ventures

In 2015, Post Properties entered into a joint venture arrangement with a private real estate company to develop, construct and operate a 358-unit apartment community in Denver, Colorado. At June 30, 2017, we owned a 92.5% equity interest in the consolidated joint venture. In 2015, this joint venture acquired the land site and initiated the development of the apartment community. The venture partner will generally be responsible for the development and construction of the community and we will continue to manage the community upon its completion. This joint venture was determined to be a VIE with us designated as the primary beneficiary. As a result, the accounts of the joint venture are consolidated by us. At June 30, 2017, our consolidated assets, liabilities and equity included construction in progress of $51.6 million, land of $14.5 million, and accounts payable and accrued expenses of $5.8 million.

Assets Held for Sale

During June 2017, the criteria for classifying three apartment communities and one land parcel as held for sale were met, and as a result, the assets and liabilities for these properties were presented as held for sale in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, we ceased recording depreciation and amortization following the held for sale designation for these properties. See Note 16 (Subsequent Events) for details on the July 2017 disposition of these properties.