MAA Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - Parent Company [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Assets:
Land	$ 1,878,209	$ 1,868,828
Buildings, Improvements, and Other	11,730,705	11,670,216
Development and capital improvements in progress	57,396	59,506
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost	13,666,310	13,598,550
Less accumulated depreciation	(2,668,708)	(2,549,287)
Real Estate Investment Property, Net	10,997,602	11,049,263
Undeveloped land	58,257	58,257
Investments in real estate joint ventures	44,138	44,181
Real estate assets, net	11,099,997	11,151,701
Cash and cash equivalents	44,623	34,259
Restricted Cash	14,764	17,414
Other assets	144,378	120,407
Total assets	11,303,762	11,323,781
Liabilities:
Unsecured notes payable	3,886,236	4,053,302
Secured notes payable	661,862	475,026
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	419,320	413,850
Total liabilities	4,967,418	4,942,178
Redeemable stock	11,045	9,414
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding	9	9
Common stock	1,137	1,136
Additional paid-in capital	7,141,544	7,138,170
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income	(1,037,268)	(989,263)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)	(3,300)	(212)
Total MAA shareholders' equity	6,102,122	6,149,840
Noncontrolling interest	218,011	220,043
Total equity	6,320,133	6,369,883
Noncontrolling Interest in Joint Ventures	5,166	2,306
Permanent Equity Attributable to Parent and Noncontrolling Interest	6,325,299	6,372,189
Total liabilities and equity	$ 11,303,762	$ 11,323,781
Redeemable stock, shares issued and outstanding	101,025	98,371