Earnings Per OP Unit of MAALP - Schedule of Diluted Earnings per Common Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 87,047	$ 62,036	$ 359,786	$ 177,716
Dividends on preferred stock	(922)	(922)	(2,766)	(2,766)
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$ 83,477	$ 58,910	$ 345,025	$ 168,625
Earnings per share - basic	$ 0.73	$ 0.52	$ 3.01	$ 1.48
Net income available for MAA common shareholders, adjusted	$ 83,557	$ 58,988	$ 345,384	$ 168,854
Effect of dilutive securities	296,000	252,000	305,000	310,000
Weighted average common shares - diluted	115,229,000	114,468,000	114,873,000	114,487,000
Earnings per common share - diluted	$ 0.73	$ 0.52	$ 3.01	$ 1.47
Limited Partner [Member]
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 87,047	$ 62,036	$ 359,786	$ 177,716
Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(80)	(78)	359	(229)
Dividends on preferred stock	(922)	(922)	(2,766)	(2,766)
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$ 86,045	$ 61,036	$ 356,661	$ 174,721
Weighted average common units - basic	118,430	118,274	118,389	118,238
Earnings per share - basic	$ 0.73	$ 0.52	$ 3.01	$ 1.48
Net income available for MAA common shareholders, adjusted	$ 86,125	$ 61,114	$ 357,020	$ 174,950
Effect of dilutive securities	296	252	305	310
Weighted average common shares - diluted	118,726	118,526	118,694	118,548
Earnings per common share - diluted	$ 0.73	$ 0.52	$ 3.01	$ 1.48