Revenues and NOI for Reportable Segment (Detail) - Parent Company [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Information
Total operating revenues	$ 386,017	$ 378,908
Net Operating Income	241,613	237,635
Depreciation and amortization	(120,744)	(129,997)
Property management expense	(12,880)	(10,981)
General and administrative expense	(10,132)	(12,840)
Business Combination, Merger and Integration Related Expenses	(3,799)	(6,161)
Interest expense	(40,905)	(36,584)
Gain (Loss) on sale of depreciable real estate assets excluded from discontinued operations	0	(73)
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	150	0
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(2,341)	2,711
Income tax expense	(640)	(651)
Gain (loss) from real estate joint ventures	498	357
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,801)	(1,511)
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	(922)	(922)
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	48,097	40,983
Same Store [Member]
Segment Information
Total property revenues	331,683	325,767
Tenant Reimbursements	22,349	21,821
Other Real Estate Revenue	2,815	3,009
Total operating revenues	356,847	350,597
Net Operating Income	225,350	221,183
Non-Same Store and Other
Segment Information
Total property revenues	27,357	25,098
Tenant Reimbursements	1,338	1,536
Other Real Estate Revenue	475	1,677
Total operating revenues	29,170	28,311
Net Operating Income	$ 16,263	$ 16,452