Shareholders' Equity of MAA - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 01, 2016
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	113,745,207	113,574,798
Total common shares and operating partnership units outstanding	117,886,987	117,792,242
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	32,391	47,480
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	8.50%
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Per-Dollar-Amount	$ 4.25
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value	$ 43,400
Equity Option [Member]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	12,600	0
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Common Shares Issuable Upon Conversion Of Convertible Stock	4,141,780	4,217,444
Parent Company [Member]
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	867,846		867,846
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$ 50		$ 50
Common stock, shares outstanding	113,745,207		113,643,166
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	$ 625	$ 0
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Common stock shares, outstanding option	95,838	147,282
Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding				867,846