Shareholders' Equity of MAA - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Equity [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding	114,279,662	113,916,208	114,246,393
Total common shares and operating partnership units outstanding	118,338,319	118,021,379
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised, Net	$ 0.1	$ 0.2
At The Market Offering
Equity [Line Items]
Common stock shares sold	0	0
Remaining common stock to be issued	3,900,000
Maximum [Member] | At The Market Offering
Equity [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	4,000,000.0
Equity Option
Equity [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	918	2,827
Noncontrolling Interest
Equity [Line Items]
Common Shares Issuable Upon Conversion Of Convertible Stock	4,058,657	4,105,171
Employee Stock Option
Equity [Line Items]
Common stock shares, outstanding option	19,845	87,788