Earnings Per OP Unit of MAALP - Schedule of Diluted Earnings per Common Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 77,728	$ 64,141	$ 115,680	$ 130,099
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(1,844)	(1,844)
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$ 74,040	$ 60,899	$ 109,715	$ 123,549
Earnings per share - basic	$ 0.65	$ 0.53	$ 0.96	$ 1.09
Net income available for MAA common shareholders, adjusted	$ 74,140	$ 60,995	$ 109,866	$ 123,733
Effect of dilutive securities	234,000	249,000	324,000	211,000
Weighted average common shares - diluted	114,438,000	114,087,000	114,482,000	113,994,000
Earnings per common unit - diluted	$ 0.65	$ 0.53	$ 0.96	$ 1.09
Limited Partner [Member]
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 77,728	$ 64,141	$ 115,680	$ 130,099
Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(100)	(96)	(151)	(184)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(1,844)	(1,844)
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$ 76,706	$ 63,123	$ 113,685	$ 128,071
Weighted average common units - basic	118,263	117,935	118,220	117,886
Earnings per share - basic	$ 0.65	$ 0.53	$ 0.96	$ 1.09
Net income available for MAA common shareholders, adjusted	$ 76,806	$ 63,219	$ 113,836	$ 128,255
Effect of dilutive securities	234	249	324	211
Weighted average common shares - diluted	118,497	118,184	118,544	118,097
Earnings per common unit - diluted	$ 0.65	$ 0.53	$ 0.96	$ 1.09