MAA Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - Parent Company [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets:
Land	$ 1,868,828	$ 1,836,417
Buildings, Improvements, and Other	11,555,677	11,281,504
Development and capital improvements in progress	68,784	116,833
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost	13,493,289	13,234,754
Less accumulated depreciation	(2,316,195)	(2,075,071)
Real Estate Investment Property, Net	11,177,094	11,159,683
Undeveloped land	41,149	57,285
Investments in real estate joint ventures	44,770	44,956
Real estate assets, net	11,263,013	11,261,924
Cash and cash equivalents	32,610	10,750
Restricted Cash	28,193	78,117
Other assets	122,563	135,807
Real Estate Held-for-sale	750	5,321
Total assets	11,447,129	11,491,919
Liabilities:
Unsecured notes payable	3,621,824	3,525,765
Secured notes payable	926,811	976,292
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	409,604	405,560
Total liabilities	4,958,239	4,907,617
Redeemable stock	9,410	10,408
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding	9	9
Common stock	1,136	1,134
Additional paid-in capital	7,130,902	7,121,112
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income	(887,672)	(784,500)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)	7,986	2,157
Total MAA shareholders' equity	6,252,361	6,339,912
Noncontrolling interest	224,813	231,676
Total equity	6,477,174	6,571,588
Noncontrolling Interest in Joint Ventures	2,306	2,306
Permanent Equity Attributable to Parent and Noncontrolling Interest	6,479,480	6,573,894
Total liabilities and equity	$ 11,447,129	$ 11,491,919
Redeemable stock, shares issued and outstanding	93,475	103,504