Borrowings - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable	$ 4,492,834
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	3.50%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Feb. 13, 2022
Conventional Variable Rate Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate	1.70%
Long-term Debt	$ 110,000
Capped Conventional Variable Rate Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate	1.70%
Long-term Debt	$ 50,000
Variable Rate Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured notes payable	$ 300,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	2.20%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Aug. 29, 2020
Mortgages [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate	$ 9,000
Repayments of Debt	156,400
Other Than Conventional Variable Rate Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 950,000
Debt Instrument Average Interest Rate	4.00%
Fixed Rate Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured notes payable	$ 2,800,000
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate	3.80%
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable	$ 1,109,973
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	3.60%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Jul. 03, 2019
Secured Debt [Member] \| Federal National Mortgage Association Certificates and Obligations (FNMA) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$ 160,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 160,000
Secured Debt [Member] \| Federal National Mortgage Association Certificates and Obligations (FNMA) [Member] \| Variable Rate Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	1.70%
Secured Debt [Member] \| Mortgages [Member] \| Fixed Rate Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	4.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Sep. 11, 2019
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate	$ 933,256
Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable	$ 3,382,861
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	3.50%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Jan. 18, 2023
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Wells Fargo Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 300,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| US Bank Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 150,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| $1 billion unsecured revolving credit faciltiy [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	2.14%
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 2,500
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| $1 billion unsecured revolving credit faciltiy [Member] \| Variable Rate Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	2.10%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Apr. 15, 2020
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$ 250,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| KeyBank Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	150,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Public Income Notes [Member] \| Fixed Rate Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	2,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Private Placement [Member] \| Fixed Rate Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	310,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| 3.6% Notes due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 600,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	3.68%
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount, Current	$ 2,500
Other Underwriting Expense	$ 3,900
Debt Instrument, Issue Price	99.58%
Settlement of Forward Swaps	$ 300,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.60%
Proceeds from Unsecured Notes Payable	$ 593,600
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| 2011 and 2012 Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	310,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| $1 billion unsecured revolving credit facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	250,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	1,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 550,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	3.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Apr. 17, 2018
Minimum [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Fixed Rate Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term	5 years
Minimum [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Wells Fargo Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.90%
Minimum [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member] \| $1 billion unsecured revolving credit faciltiy [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.85%
Minimum [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member] \| KeyBank Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.90%
Minimum [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Wells Fargo and US Bank Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.90%
Minimum [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.90%
Maximum [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Fixed Rate Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term	12 years
Maximum [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Wells Fargo Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.90%
Maximum [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member] \| $1 billion unsecured revolving credit faciltiy [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.55%
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 1,500,000
Maximum [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member] \| KeyBank Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.75%
Maximum [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Wells Fargo and US Bank Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.90%
Maximum [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.75%
years to maturity [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Fixed Rate Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term	7 years 1 month 6 days

Debt Instrument, Average Interest Rate

No definition available.

Name:	maa_DebtInstrumentAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	maa_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Issue Price

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	maa_DebtInstrumentIssuePrice
Namespace Prefix:	maa_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Settlement of Forward Swaps

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	maa_SettlementofForwardSwaps
Namespace Prefix:	maa_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of debt discount to be amortized within one year or within the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The interest rate applicable to the portion of the carrying amount of long-term borrowings outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including current maturities, which accrues interest at a set, unchanging rate.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingFixedInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total carrying amount of mortgage loans as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-04.(c) Schedule IV)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27047687&loc=d3e5864-122674

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 948
-SubTopic 310
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-29.6)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6589523&loc=d3e617274-123014

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of all types of notes payable, as of the balance sheet date, with initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesPayable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Costs incurred during the period, such as those relating to general administration and policy maintenance that do not vary with and are not primarily related to the acquisition or renewal of insurance contracts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.7)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 720
-Section 25
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35755714&loc=d3e28434-158551

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherUnderwritingExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow from borrowings supported by a written promise to pay an obligation that is uncollateralized (where debt is not backed by the pledge of collateral).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3255-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromUnsecuredNotesPayable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow during the period from the repayment of aggregate short-term and long-term debt. Excludes payment of capital lease obligations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of uncollateralized debt obligations (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=maa_ConventionalVariableRateDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=maa_CappedConventionalVariableRateDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=maa_VariableRateDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_MortgagesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=maa_OtherThanConventionalVariableRateDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=maa_FixedRateSeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_FederalNationalMortgageAssociationCertificatesAndObligationsFNMAMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	maa_DebtInformationAxis=maa_VariableRateDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	maa_DebtInformationAxis=maa_FixedRateDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=maa_WellsFargoTermLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=maa_USBankTermLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=maa_A1billionunsecuredrevolvingcreditfaciltiyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=maa_KeyBankTermLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_IncomeNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_PrivatePlacementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=maa_A3.6Notesdue2027Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=maa_A2011and2012SeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=maa_A1billionunsecuredrevolvingcreditfacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=maa_TermLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=maa_WellsFargoandUSBankTermLoansMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	maa_AverageAxis=maa_YearstomaturityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: