Shareholders' Equity of MAA - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 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	113,808,292	113,607,734
Total common shares and operating partnership units outstanding	117,943,960	117,823,412
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	32,391	47,956
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	10,340
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Common Shares Issuable Upon Conversion Of Convertible Stock	4,135,668	4,215,678
Parent Company [Member]
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	867,846		867,846
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$ 50		$ 50
Common stock, shares outstanding	113,808,292		113,643,166
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	$ 625	$ 432
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Common stock shares, outstanding option	95,838	108,438
Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding				867,846