Earnings Per OP Unit of MAALP - Schedule of Diluted Earnings per Common Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 37,952	$ 65,958
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$ 35,676	$ 62,651
Earnings per share - basic	$ 0.31	$ 0.55
Net income available for MAA common shareholders, adjusted	$ 35,726	$ 62,738
Effect of dilutive securities	383,000	207,000
Weighted average common shares - diluted	114,494,000	113,933,000
Earnings per common unit - diluted	$ 0.31	$ 0.55
Limited Partner [Member]
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 37,952	$ 65,958
Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(50)	(87)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$ 36,980	$ 64,949
Weighted average common units - basic	118,176	117,837
Earnings per share - basic	$ 0.31	$ 0.55
Net income available for MAA common shareholders, adjusted	$ 37,030	$ 65,036
Effect of dilutive securities	383	207
Weighted average common shares - diluted	118,559	118,044
Earnings per common unit - diluted	$ 0.31	$ 0.55