Revenues and NOI for Reportable Segment (Detail) - Parent Company [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Information
Total operating revenues	$ 401,178	$ 386,017
Net Operating Income	251,801	241,613
Depreciation and amortization	(122,789)	(120,744)
Other Cost and Expense, Operating	13,842	12,880
General and administrative expense	(13,153)	(10,132)
Business Combination, Merger and Integration Related Expenses	0	(3,799)
Interest expense	(45,700)	(40,905)
Gain (Loss) on sale of depreciable real estate assets excluded from discontinued operations	(13)	0
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	8,963	150
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	935	(2,341)
Income tax expense	(641)	(640)
Gain (loss) from real estate joint ventures	397	498
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,298)	(1,801)
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	(922)	(922)
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	62,738	48,097
Same Store [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	372,441	341,095
Property Management Fee Revenue	23,000	23,002
Other Operating Income	3,099	2,874
Total operating revenues	375,540	366,971
Net Operating Income	237,439	231,655
Non-Same Store and Other
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	25,499	17,945
Property Management Fee Revenue	800	685
Other Operating Income	139	416
Total operating revenues	25,638	19,046
Net Operating Income	$ 14,362	$ 9,958