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, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 62,036	$ 81,459	$ 177,716	$ 211,558
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(2,766)	(2,766)
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$ 58,910	$ 77,605	$ 168,625	$ 201,154
Earnings per share - basic	$ 0.52	$ 0.68	$ 1.48	$ 1.77
Net income available for MAA common shareholders, adjusted	$ 58,988	$ 77,723	$ 168,854	$ 201,456
Effect of dilutive securities	252,000	260,000	310,000	238,000
Weighted average common shares - diluted	114,468,000	114,137,000	114,487,000	114,052,000
Earnings per common unit - diluted	$ 0.52	$ 0.68	$ 1.47	$ 1.77
Limited Partner [Member]
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 62,036	$ 81,459	$ 177,716	$ 211,558
Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(78)	(118)	(229)	(302)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(2,766)	(2,766)
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$ 61,036	$ 80,419	$ 174,721	$ 208,490
Weighted average common units - basic	118,274	117,958	118,238	117,910
Earnings per share - basic	$ 0.52	$ 0.68	$ 1.48	$ 1.77
Net income available for MAA common shareholders, adjusted	$ 61,114	$ 80,537	$ 174,950	$ 208,792
Effect of dilutive securities	252	260	310	238
Weighted average common shares - diluted	118,526	118,218	118,548	118,148
Earnings per common unit - diluted	$ 0.52	$ 0.68	$ 1.48	$ 1.77