Revenues and NOI for Reportable Segment (Detail) - Parent Company [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Segment Information
Total operating revenues	$ 390,073	$ 382,791	$ 776,090	$ 761,699
Net Operating Income	241,343	236,822	482,956	474,457
Depreciation and amortization	(122,925)	(126,360)	(243,669)	(256,357)
Other Cost and Expense, Operating	11,396	10,745	24,276	21,726
General and administrative expense	(9,211)	(9,534)	(19,343)	(22,374)
Business Combination, Merger and Integration Related Expenses	(2,826)	(4,207)	(6,625)	(10,368)
Interest expense	(43,585)	(38,481)	(84,490)	(75,065)
Gain (Loss) on sale of depreciable real estate assets excluded from discontinued operations	2	274	2	201
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	2,761	48	2,911	48
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	8,032	2,627	5,691	5,338
Income tax expense	(570)	(618)	(1,210)	(1,269)
Gain (loss) from real estate joint ventures	356	329	854	686
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,174)	(1,840)	(3,975)	(3,351)
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	(922)	(922)	(1,844)	(1,844)
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	58,885	47,393	106,982	88,376
Same Store [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	333,277	327,960	664,960	653,726
Property Management Fee Revenue	21,945	21,939	44,294	43,760
Other Operating Income	3,281	3,431	6,096	6,441
Total operating revenues	358,503	353,330	715,350	703,927
Net Operating Income	224,200	220,474	449,550	441,657
Non-Same Store and Other
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	29,897	27,397	57,254	52,496
Property Management Fee Revenue	1,252	1,476	2,590	3,012
Other Operating Income	421	588	896	2,264
Total operating revenues	31,570	29,461	60,740	57,772
Net Operating Income	$ 17,143	$ 16,348	$ 33,406	$ 32,800